For Immediate Release: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001

For More Information: Mary Lehecka-Nelson, GOED, 773-5032

South Dakota Company Lands $27 Million Contract with Saudi Arabia

Pierre -- Big things are happening in the small town of Lyons, SD. Its number one employer, Central States Fire Apparatus, recently signed a $27 million contract to supply 234 trucks to Saudi Arabia, Governor Bill Janklow announced today, Nov. 7.

"This is a great story," Janklow said. "This is a company of 150 people, located in a town of 75 people and it is literally supplying the world with fire trucks," he said. Janklow noted that Central States Fire Apparatus is the fourth largest fire truck manufacturer in the United States.

Central States Fire Apparatus started business in Lyons in 1982. In 1998, the company merged with an Austrian company. That merger resulted in the Saudi Arabia contract. "This is hopefully the first of several major contracts for this company," Janklow said. "If this order goes well, the company has indicated a second contract of double the trucks is possible."

The company, which manufactures approximately 300 trucks per year, will have the Saudi Arabia order completed by 2003. "Basically this order guarantees we’ll be running at full capacity until then," said Harold Boer, CEO. "And if things work out for a second contract, we’ll actually have to look at adding employees," he said.

Boer said that much of the company’s business is domestic, but the international market is on the rise. "This contract came at a great time. The domestic market has slowed down so this worked out perfect," he said. 

International sales aren’t new to Boer and his company. "We’ve got trucks in South Africa, Columbia, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia," he said. International sales do, however, bring a unique set of challenges.

"Since the Arabic language is so different from ours, we have had to take some special measures to translate our manuals, advisory tags and other information into Arabic," he said. Boer said the company has used both computer programs and actual translators to get everything done.

Janklow also noted that this multi-million dollar contract is good news for other South Dakota companies that supply Central States Fire Apparatus. "This company purchases paint, plumbing supplies and other components from other South Dakota companies," Janklow said. "So one company’s good fortune turns into everyone’s good fortune," he said.

Boer mentioned that one of the companies they work with even had to have special templates made for the Arabic language. Village Engraving of Lyons supplies Central States Fire Apparatus with all of its engraved equipment tags. 

Janklow concluded by saying that Central States Fire Apparatus is an excellent example of a South Dakota company that has capitalized on the international market. "Each year we see more and more South Dakota companies entering the international market. This multi-million dollar contract is proof that South Dakota companies can compete," he said.

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