P. E. Van Pelt Inc. 100 Year Anniversary

P.E. Van Pelt Inc., a fire apparatus manufacturer, began in 1923 when its founder, P.E. Van Pelt, built his first fire truck for the Oakdale Fire Department. The success of this initial unit led to numerous requests from other fire departments in the area for similar vehicles, prompting Van Pelt to establish P.E. Van Pelt Inc. as a separate company in 1925. Over the years, the company experienced substantial growth, and by the 1940s, it had become the largest fire apparatus manufacturer on the US West Coast.

One of the notable milestones for P.E. Van Pelt Inc. came in 1958 with the introduction of aerial trucks equipped with ladders from Memco Aerial Ladder Company. This innovation further solidified the company's reputation for producing high-quality fire apparatus. In 1960, P.E. Van Pelt Inc. introduced the Custom 300, a custom chassis that remained in production until 1977. After that, the company utilized chassis from Pemfab, Duplex, and Hendrickson, offering a range of options to meet the specific needs of fire departments.

As technology advanced, P.E. Van Pelt Inc. continued to adapt and incorporate new features into its fire apparatus. Aerial trucks built after 1977 utilized ladder assemblies from Grove and LTI and platforms from Hi-Ranger. Furthermore, Telesqurt booms from the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company were later incorporated into the company's offerings. This commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of the industry ensured that P.E. Van Pelt Inc. remained a trusted and reliable choice for fire departments nationwide.

In 1978, P.E. Van Pelt Inc. was acquired by FMC Corporation. Despite the change in ownership, the Van Pelt nameplate continued prominently displayed on trucks produced in Oakdale. However, in 1987, FMC decided to consolidate fire truck production in Florida, leading to the closure of the Oakdale plant. As a result, the Van Pelt brand name was discontinued.

Despite the closure of P.E. Van Pelt Inc., the company's legacy lives on through the establishment of two fire apparatus companies by former Van Pelt employees. Hi-Tech EVS, based in Oakdale, CA, and Burton's Fire, Inc., located in Modesto, CA, continue to carry the torch of quality and innovation in the fire apparatus industry. These companies serve as a testament to the lasting impact of P.E. Van Pelt Inc. and its contribution to the field of fire safety.