KME Fire Apparatus

KME Fire Apparatus is a fire apparatus manufacturer located in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania.

History
KME's origins are found in an auto repair shop started by John Kovatch in 1946. The business grew and branched into several auto and truck related businesses, including Kovatch Mobile Equipment, which built special-purpose military vehicles. In 1983, Kovatch Mobile purchased fire apparatus manufacturer Car-Mar. In 1985, KME Fire Apparatus was formed after Kovatch acquired some of the assets of the Hendrickson Manufacturing Company. KME obtained and used Hendrickson's distinctive chassis. Aerial ladders were added to the product line in 1987. In 1992, KME acquired the rights to Grumman's line of aerial devices, including the Aerialcat. Custom chassis were introduced as well, including the Renegade and Excel.

Facilities
KME's main operations are in Nesquehoning, but it also operates manufacturing operations in California (light duty bodies), New York (crash fire trucks), and Virginia (aerial ladder assemblies). Parent company Kovatch also builds fuel trucks and commercial truck bodies.

Products
The company builds a full line of apparatus on custom or commercial chassis. Custom chassis include the Predator, Panther and Severe Service lines. The company delivers trucks across Canada and the United States. Major customers include Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and Philadelphia Fire Department. In 2013, KME won a multi-year contract to supply FDNY with pumpers.