Southeast Apparatus Trucks built for firefighters, by firefighters
By ANGELA MOORE and JONATHAN WISE | Southeast Apparatus
Southeast Apparatus is a Kentucky-based manufacturer of custom fire and emergency apparatus that is dedicated to a “service first” approach when building new or refurbishing existing apparatuses. All of the employees pride themselves on their top-notch fabricating, assembly and finishing of each five-star quality apparatus.
The company, formerly Wynn Fire Equipment, has been in operation for over 30 years. The majority of the employees, as well as the owners, have been involved in emergency services with volunteer or career departments. All of the custom trucks produced by Southeast Apparatus are built for firefighters, by firefighters and there are no two trucks the same. Each truck is built specifically to meet the needs of each department.
Today, Southeast Apparatus is set apart from the competition by its ability to build one of the most heavy-duty trucks on the market. Their construction, remount and refurbishment process is much more competitive than those of most other companies. Southeast individualizes meetings with its customers to discuss every option available for their perspective units, providing answers to every question the customer may have. During the build process, the customer is able to follow the progress of the build online at www.southeastapparatus.com. Once the apparatus is complete, an 85-point post inspection is done to ensure the apparatus meets the customer’s top-notch standards.
Southeast Apparatus is continually working to offer newer product options on apparatus ranging from fire pumpers to fire tankers, rescue trucks to various wildland firefighting vehicles, and including special operations trailers. It has the capability to offer any apparatus it manufactures on a commercial chassis, including International, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Ford, Chevrolet and Freightliner or on a custom fire truck chassis, including Spartan or HME.
The Southeast Apparatus team also offer refurbishment and retrofitting to any existing apparatus, including ambulances. Each vehicle that is received is handled and inspected on an individual basis, which allows for more personal service and customization to meet the customer’s needs. Southeast is also the American Emergency Vehicles authorized dealer for the state of Kentucky. This allows it to offer a wide range of new, custom ambulances in addition to refurbishing.
Southeast Apparatus offers extensive warranty packages for each remount, refurbishment or new apparatus to guarantee the lifespan of its product. It also offers a full-service maintenance shop, body shop and graphics department on site. Other services offered include mobile pump testing, pump repairs, hose testing and hose repair.
Throughout the global financial crisis that posed major challenges for most industries, Southeast Apparatus managed to avoid most of the effects because of continued focus on delivering outstanding quality products and service while boasting new apparatus sales in 20 out of the 50 states in the past two years. In comparison to companies in the same industry, being a smaller company has allowed it to maintain the highest level of quality and establish many wonderful, personal relationships with customers. Southeast Apparatus employees want their customers to have the assurance of flawless service and all at an affordable price.
Looking towards the future, Southeast Apparatus is determined to maintain the individualized, personal service it has with its customers. With every truck being a one-of-a-kind custom build, customers will always receive their apparatuses exactly the way they want them, each and every time.
