A quiet company just being successful in SW Michigan for 40 years!
Spencer Fire Trucks, a family-owned fire apparatus manufacturer based in South Haven, is marking its 40th year in business in 2026, celebrating four decades of steady growth, local investment, and service to fire departments across the country.
Founded in 1986 by Brian Spencer as a small repair operation behind his home, the company has grown into a nationally recognized manufacturer of purpose-built fire apparatus while remaining rooted in Southwest Michigan. Today, Spencer Fire Trucks designs and builds custom fire trucks for departments nationwide from its South Haven facility.
“South Haven has always been home for our family, and it’s where we will continue to build our future,” said Grant Spencer, president of Spencer Fire Trucks. “Our goal has never been rapid growth for its own sake. It’s been about building quality apparatus for fire departments while supporting the local economy and creating long-term opportunities for the people who live and work here.”
Over four decades, Spencer Fire Trucks has expanded its operations while maintaining family ownership and a hands-on approach. Today, the company is led by the founder’s sons, who grew up in and around the business and now carry it forward. Under their leadership, Spencer has doubled its workforce and tripled production, strengthening its position as a leader in custom fire apparatus manufacturing and an economic anchor in Southwest Michigan.
In a region known for its seasonal tourism economy, nearly half of Spencer’s customers are located outside Michigan, bringing national manufacturing demand into the region and supporting year-round skilled employment locally. The company has continued to invest in its facilities and workforce to meet the evolving needs of fire departments without relocating or consolidating operations elsewhere.
“The Spencer family believed in South Haven when it would have been easier to move elsewhere,” said Annie Brown, Mayor of South Haven. “ We are grateful to the Spencer family for giving back to our community, creating jobs, and being a vital part of South Haven’s economic engine for 40 years.”
“Our success has always been tied to the people who work here and the community that supports us,” Spencer added. “This milestone is as much about them as it is about the trucks we build.”
As the company continues to expand, Spencer Fire Trucks is creating new employment opportunities across manufacturing, engineering, and support roles, offering stable, skilled-trade careers within a family-owned organization. Interested candidates can apply on the website at spencerfiretrucks.com/careers
Additional information about Spencer Fire Trucks’ 40th anniversary and its history as an independent manufacturer is available at spencerfiretrucks.com/40yearsonefocus.
