DC Media's Press Release on US Sprinter Assembly location

hkpierce

'02 140 Hi BlueBlk Pass
For historical purposes, below is DC's press release announcing the location of the US assembly plant for 2007 and later Sprinters, to be located at 8500 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, Ladson, SC 29456, just north of Charleston, SC, in a refurbished American LaFrance assembly plant.
 

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hkpierce

'02 140 Hi BlueBlk Pass
Below is American LaFrance's web site posting (http://www.americanlafrance.com/interior.asp?n=60&p=13&s=43) regarding the sale and change over of the Ladson plant. What is interesting from the hints elsewhere on the web regarding this sale is that American LaFrance will continue for a while to use a portion of the Ladson plant. I have put that in bold below:



December 15, 2005

To the Fire and EMS Community:

Subject: Patriarch Partners Acquires American LaFrance

Today, we are honored to share the facts and good news with you – confirming a very bright and continued future for American LaFrance. Patriarch Partners, LLC, has purchased American LaFrance. This is an exciting announcement for both companies and for the fire, rescue and EMS communities.

Patriarch is a long term investor with a long term vision. Patriarch will provide American LaFrance management with the resources needed to position the company to take its rightful place in the market by achieving excellence in efficiency and driving innovation through leadership. Patriarch has a successful track record of driving growth in companies with strong potential, like American LaFrance, to realize that potential and to become true industry leaders.

As many of you may have read or heard, DaimlerChrysler recently announced that they will use a portion of the American LaFrance production facility in Ladson, S.C. to produce Dodge Sprinter Vans. This will occur on unused floor space in the facility and will, in no way, impact the production or delivery of American LaFrance vehicles. In fact, American LaFrance will continue its pumper and tanker body production at this facility as well as maintain the administrative headquarters there. As we are able to maintain all work and our business structure in its present location well into 2007, Patriarch and the American LaFrance management team will have time and flexibility to seek the best location for a new headquarters and manufacturing facility. Sites in the Ladson / Charleston area are currently being considered as possible locations.

Patriarch recognizes the value of and appreciates a management team with a strong background in the fire industry and is grateful that John Stevenson and Scott Barnes will continue in their positions as President and Vice President of Sales respectively of American LaFrance. Patriarch will support them and the many familiar faces within the management and production team in their respective significant endeavors to foster the company’s growth for years to come – just as Patriarch has done for leaders in other industries, including helicopter manufacturing, textiles, computer equipment, composite storage tanks and many more. The work with American LaFrance will be the latest success story from a company that has proven its ongoing commitment to the success of American Industry.

As we move forward, it is time to put all rumors behind us and move forward with our customers and vendors supported by the facts. American LaFrance has been an integral part of the fire community since 1832 and we are ready, excited and proud to continue that heritage well into the future.

Finally – for those departments and other individuals who have come to rely on American LaFrance, thank you for your continued support. As always, you are – and will continue to be – the number one priority at American LaFrance.

Today is the beginning of the next chapter in our history. Watch for many exciting announcements in the coming months.

Sincerely,
John Stevenson, President
American LaFrance

Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer
Patriarch Partners, LLC
 

hkpierce

'02 140 Hi BlueBlk Pass
Here are pictures of the Ladson plant from Frieghtliner and American LaFrance. These must post-date most of the images on Google' maps and Mapquest, which show different locations for the plant, both without evidence of what are pictured.

Looking a MapQuest's airial view and comparing to the building pictures, I am guessing the MapQuest picture is of the Ladson plant.
 

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