Excerpts from the QuadCityTimes.com:
In a quiet town where time moves slowly and cornfields stretch for miles, the heart of the community beats to the rhythm of a second-generation firetruck manufacturer.
For almost 80 years, Alexis Fire Equipment has been crafting firetrucks for customers across the U.S. and around the world. Despite its modest location, the company’s iconic trucks have become a symbol of reliability and craftsmanship.
Rick Corben, who has worked at the company for 22 years, remembers visiting as a child. He often hears people say, “This town doesn’t look big enough to have a business like this.†But when customers come to order a custom-built truck, they are often surprised by the size of the facility, the town, and the final product they take home.
President Jeff Morris, son of founder Gene Morris, says that the company invites customers to visit the sprawling operation that spans three city blocks. After an initial design meeting, customers return during the build process to inspect progress and make adjustments.
Alexis Fire Equipment is currently working on an order of 42 firetrucks destined for Saudi Arabia. “We’ve had bigger orders before, but this one feels special,†Morris said.
The increased activity has made it hard to miss. Massive firetrucks fill the 18 bays in the company’s buildings, with some parked on grassy areas, parking lots, and even side streets. The presence of these vehicles reminds residents of the company’s impact on their small town.
Morris continues his father’s legacy by showing visitors through the company’s many buildings. Photos on the website show trucks in various stages of construction, giving a glimpse into the complex process behind each vehicle.
As the largest employer in Alexis, the company employs 70 people, including fabricators, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, painters, and administrative staff. Everyone shares a common goal: building trucks that save lives.
Humble Beginnings
Founder Gene Morris started the business in 1945 after leaving his job at Ashland Oil Co. in Kentucky. He opened a blacksmith shop in his hometown of Alexis, initially making wagons and trailers. A customer asked if he could build a firetruck, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Alexis Fire Equipment was officially founded in 1947. At first, the shop employed just four people and built only three or four trucks a year. Today, the company works on up to 22 trucks at a time, with some being refurbished or maintained.
“We’re one of the last family-owned firetruck businesses in the country,†Morris said, estimating there are about half a dozen left. In Illinois, it's the last remaining firetruck manufacturer, as five existed in the past.
Production has grown significantly over the years—from 12 trucks a year in the 1970s to between 60 and 100 annually today. On average, the company builds 55 to 60 emergency vehicles each year.
Impact on Alexis
As the company expanded, so did its physical space. It acquired nearby buildings that had previously housed local businesses, including a former Ford dealership that now serves as headquarters and sales office.
A shuttered lumber company now functions as a maintenance shop and retail store, selling firefighter gear like jackets, boots, and helmets. These changes reflect the company’s deep roots in the community.
Growing Presence
Under Jeff Morris’ leadership, the company began expanding internationally 15 years ago. Today, it serves customers in countries such as Argentina, Canada, Chile, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE.
Alexis Fire Equipment builds all types of custom firetrucks, including rescue units, tankers, pumpers, and aerial platforms. It also distributes McCoy-Miller ambulances. “The firetruck industry is a capped market,†Morris said, noting that around 200 manufacturers produce about 4,500 trucks annually.
“From the Mississippi River east, that’s our area of focus, including Iowa,†he added.
Technology Upgrades
Each firetruck can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete, depending on the complexity. While the company purchases the chassis, it manufactures everything from the frame back.
Advancements in technology have improved efficiency. For example, the company uses a high-pressure water-jet cutter to cut metal up to 10 inches thick, streamlining the production process.
Customers Near and Far
Employees see the company’s reach every day, with fire department names painted on the doors of vehicles in the shop. Recent orders came from places like Little York, Savanna, Hillsdale, Pekin, and Newark in Illinois, as well as Wyoming and Michigan.
Of course, the closest customer is right next door—the Alexis Fire Protection District. Chief J.R. Lafferty, a longtime employee, has worked at the company since 1989, starting as a driver and now serving as a service technician.
Lafferty followed in his father’s footsteps, leading the district for 20 years. The volunteer firefighters protect a large rural area and rely on Alexis Fire Equipment just like any other customer.
Workplace Pride
Brian Dillbeck, a lifelong Alexis native, joined the company at 18 and has stayed with it for 42 years. Now in the service department, he takes pride in the work he does.
Another growing part of the business is mobile repair services, which sends teams across Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to support customers on-site.
“It’s more than a job—it’s a lifestyle,†Dillbeck said. “You get to see what you’ve built and know you helped a community. That kind of pride is hard to beat.â€
Thanks, Dan
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