40 years.
One Company.
One Family.
One Focus.
Celebrating 40 years of custom built fire apparatus, built around flexibility.
For four decades, Spencer Fire Trucks has stayed true to a simple idea: when you put people first, quality follows.
What began as a one-man repair shop in a backyard pole barn quickly evolved into a family-driven operation, shaped by the hard work and shared commitment of the entire Spencer family.
Today, that foundation remains unchanged - still family-owned, still hands-on, and still committed to building custom trucks the right way.
Forty years later, our focus endures: creating custom apparatus with pride, attention to detail, and the flexibility to meet the needs of any fire department.
This was the American Dream in its purest form:
Starting with nothing but a skill and a willingness to outwork the obstacles.
here is where it starts
In 1986, Brian Spencer wasn’t setting out to build a large company. He simply wanted to use the skills he had to support his family and help his community. As a young father, volunteer firefighter, and full-time farmer raising five boys under the age of eight, he understood the value of steady work, practical solutions, and doing things the right way.
So he started small, in the backyard, in a pole barn he built himself.
After long days on the farm, he’d head out to the shop to repair fire trucks for his department. What began as a simple way to fill a need soon turned into reliable work.
Word spread quickly. Brian understood what firefighters needed because he was one of them. Departments trusted him. The work grew. And what began as a repair shop slowly expanded into something far larger: a full manufacturing operation capable of building custom fire apparatus from the ground up.
This was the American Dream in its purest form: Starting with nothing but a skill and a willingness to outwork the obstacles.
But no one builds a dream alone.
Like many family businesses, it took a collective effort. Brian’s wife, Peggy and his sons were there every step of the way, sweeping floors, turning wrenches, sanding parts, and helping the business grow long before it had offices, titles, or departments. Over time, that shared effort turned a small backyard shop into a full manufacturing operation.
As the years passed, the boys became craftsmen, then leaders. What started as a one-man shop became a second-generation manufacturer producing custom trucks for departments across the country.
Today, Spencer Fire Trucks operates in a modern, expanded facility, but the soul of the company is still that humble backyard shop. The tools are cleaner, the equipment is bigger, and the team is larger but the foundation remains the same - craftsmanship, relationships, and supporting departments with what they truly need.
The road to 40 years
1984 – First Fire Truck Build
Spencer converts a ready-mix concrete truck chassis into its first fire truck, laying the groundwork for future custom apparatus builds.
Brian Spencer, a farmer and volunteer firefighter in South Haven, Michigan, launches Spencer Repair Service out of a backyard pole barn—repairing fire trucks, cement trucks, and beverage trucks. What begins as repair and service work grows into rebuilds and custom fabrication.
Mid-1980s – Humble Beginnings
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1986 – From Repairs to Manufacturing
What started as small-scale repair work formally evolves into manufacturing. The company incorporates as Spencer Manufacturing, Inc. in December 1986, focusing on servicing, repairing, and building fire apparatus—and hiring its first employee.
1987 – Early Expansion
The original pole barn is expanded with a dedicated paint shop and first full bay, increasing capacity and improving turnaround times.
1989 – First Tanker Builds
Spencer designs and builds two tanker fire trucks, continuing to broaden its product capabilities.
Word spreads about Spencer’s reliable trucks and hands-on approach. The business grows steadily, driven by Brian’s first-hand firefighting experience, personable style, and reputation for quality.
1990 – Dealer Network Begins
Spencer secures its first dealer, Beck Fire Apparatus, and adds five part-time employees, extending its reach and growing production.
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1985 – First Municipal Contract
Spencer wins its first contract with the City of Holland, Michigan.
1990s – Growth Through Craftsmanship
1993 – First Major Expansion
Two bays are added to the original shop to keep pace with increasing demand.
Family Business in Motion
The Spencer boys grow up in and around the business, helping their dad build trucks in the backyard shop. Brian focuses on building and operations, while Peggy runs administration from a home office inside the family home—together laying the foundation for a family business that continues to thrive.
1994 – Dealer Network Expands
Spencer partners with Apollo Fire Equipment, strengthening its presence in the fire service industry.
1996 – Second Expansion
Two additional bays are built on the residential property to support rapid growth and more complex builds
1997 – First Aerial Delivery
Spencer delivers its first aerial apparatus to Troy, Michigan, marking a new milestone in product capability.
2000s – Second Generation Steps In
Brian’s sons officially join the company, learning the industry and the business from the ground up while contributing to continued growth and innovation.
2000 – First Demo Units
Spencer builds its first demo trucks, showcasing design, capabilities, and customization options to departments across the region.
2001 – Engineering Brought In-House
Spencer hires its first engineer, bringing the design process in-house and becoming a true one-stop shop for fire departments—from concept through fabrication and final delivery
2003 – New Facility
Having long outgrown the family property, Spencer Manufacturing purchases land and breaks ground on a new, purpose-built facility on six acres in South Haven’s industrial park—creating room for expanded production and future growth.
2005 – Homeland Security Contract
Spencer wins a Homeland Security contract to provide 17 fire service vehicles to the State of Michigan, further solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner.
2006 – In-House Pump Testing
An in-ground tank is installed for on-site pump testing, allowing Spencer to control quality and performance testing under one roof.
2010s – A New Generation of Leadership
Brian’s sons step into leadership roles, guiding the company’s growth while carrying forward the values it was built on.
Under the new leadership team, Spencer doubles its workforce and triples production—strengthening its position as a leader in custom-built fire apparatus and expanding its role as an economic anchor in Southwest Michigan, providing steady, family-supporting careers in a largely seasonal community.
2020s– Expanding Capabilities
After a decade of steady growth, Spencer once again outgrows its existing workspace.
2024 – Major Facility Expansion & Stock Line
Spencer completes a 40,000-square-foot facility expansion, built to meet rising demand and support the next chapter of growth. The new space provides the footprint for a dedicated stock truck line, enabling faster lead times, broader customer reach and more flexible, quick delivery options for departments that still need customization.
start your build
Tell us what your department needs, and we’ll design a truck that meets every challenge — from the ground up.