Crimson Fire Partners with W.S. Darley & Co. to Market the Boomer(TM) Internationally
BRANDON, S.D., April 19 // -- Crimson Fire has signed a strategic partnership agreement with W.S. Darley & Co. to market and sell its new Boomer(TM) device overseas.
Crimson, which is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), introduced the Boomer today at the emergency-rescue industry's largest trade show. The Boomer is a new crossover product that combines five emergency- rescue functions into a single device that is more versatile, less costly and more compact than other equipment available today.
The agreement allows Darley, an Illinois-based manufacturer of pumps, apparatus and firefighting equipment, exclusive rights to sell the Boomer outside of North America through its network of dealers in more than 100 countries. Crimson's network of authorized dealers will handle all North American sales.
The Boomer, which provides elevated water discharge, hydraulic and air tool connection, scene lighting and lift capability, is on display at Booth 2433.
"We are extremely pleased to establish this strategic partnership with Darley, which is one of the most respected companies in our industry," said Jim Salmi, president of Crimson Fire. "Darley's expertise with international distribution gives the Boomer broad and immediate access to markets that can benefit from the innovative capabilities it brings to firefighting."
Peter Darley, chief operating officer of Darley, agreed, noting: "We think the Boomer fills a tremendous hole in the market. This unique device brings expanded capabilities to the market at a very attractive price, which will make it successful both inside and outside the United States."
More than two years of research, design and development has gone into the Boomer, which features:
o A 28-foot master stream that can be rotated 360 degrees and elevated
from -10 degrees to +90 degrees for greater firefighting reach
o A 6,000-watt light tower with adjustable lights to direct powerful
illumination where needed
o Connections for high-pressure hydraulic rescue tools that provide life-
saving functions at the scene of major motor-vehicle accidents
o Two additional hand-line discharges to broaden the reach of
firefighters
o The ability to lift 1,000 pounds
The vehicle featuring the Boomer on display at the Fire Department Instructors Conference is a Navistar chassis with a Crimson body. It features Crimson's unique tubular design, which makes its vehicles some of the strongest and more durable on the market.
"We are pleased to partner with the W.S. Darley Company, which is one of the world's largest suppliers of fire pumps," Salmi said. "They have a tremendous presence in key overseas markets such as China, where they have more than 50 percent of the market share."
Darley, which will celebrate a century in business next year, launched export sales in the early 1940s. Today, international sales account for nearly half of its business.
"We see tremendous potential for the Boomer in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America, among other regions," said Paul Darley, president and CEO. "These markets really appreciate - and will pay for - high-tech products with sophisticated componentry. The Boomer will be an excellent addition to our current product line, and we are very pleased to be representing Crimson internationally."
Additional information about the Boomer is available online at www.crimson-fire.com and at FireBoomercom.
About Crimson Fire
Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), Crimson is committed to quality, value and innovation. Drawing on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing, Crimson manufactures a full line of pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information, visit www.crimson-fire.com.
About W.S. Darley & Co.
Founded in 1908, W. S. Darley & Company is a manufacturer and distributor of firefighting pumps, fire apparatus, and firefighting equipment. Darley has a current customer base of more than 50,000, which includes federal, state and local governments as well as customers in over 100 countries. Darley is headquartered in Melrose Park, Illinois and has manufacturing, engineering and operations in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and Toledo, Oregon. For more information, visit www.darley.com.
Source: Spartan Motors, Inc.
CONTACT: Nick Langerock of Crimson Fire, +1-605-582-4000
Web site: www.crimson-fire.com/
