Sutphen Corporation, the nation’s largest family-owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer based in Dublin, Ohio, marked a significant milestone with the official grand opening of its new 185,000-square-foot fire apparatus manufacturing facility in Urbana, Ohio.
Situated at 935 S. Edgewood Avenue, Urbana, Ohio 43078, the new facility consolidates three separate sites into one expansive manufacturing hub. This move expands Sutphen’s presence in the Urbana community from approximately 70,000 square feet spread across three former facilities to a unified 185,000 square feet under one roof.
“This new facility represents a major step forward for us,” stated Sutphen corporation president, Drew Sutphen, a fourth-generation family member. “It enhances our workforce, manufacturing efficiency, and production capacity. Sutphen Urbana is not just an investment in our family business but also in the Urbana community. It reflects our commitment to responsible growth for generations to come and provides an opportunity for the fifth and sixth generations of Sutphen family members to continue our legacy.”
Having commenced operations in late 2023, Sutphen Corporation has already generated over 25 jobs at the location, augmenting the total Sutphen workforce in Urbana to more than 225 team members. The company continues to hire, with numerous open positions available at its new facility.
“Sutphen has deep roots in Urbana, Champaign County, and surrounding areas,” noted Julie Sutphen Phelps, vice president of Sutphen Corporation and president of Sutphen Hilliard, also a fourth-generation family member. “Having operated in the community for over three decades, we recognize the dedication and hard work ethic of the Miami Valley residents. We are thrilled to expand within the community and look forward to sustained growth for years to come.”
Spanning 25 acres of the 55-acre site purchased by Sutphen in 2021, the new manufacturing facility includes an additional 30 acres earmarked for future expansion.
Rich Ebert, director of the Champaign Economic Partnership, expressed pride in having Sutphen in Urbana. He remarked, “To have one of the largest and most respected fire apparatus manufacturers in the nation call Urbana home is a source of great pride for our city and county. The CEP is delighted to partner with Sutphen in establishing this state-of-the-art facility in Urbana. Their presence has already made a significant impact on the community through job creation and opportunities, and we anticipate further positive developments in Sutphen’s Urbana journey.”
Sutphen Corporation operates as a sole-source manufacturer, designing, manufacturing, and selling fire apparatus from scratch. The company’s comprehensive approach ensures streamlined production processes and consistent quality control across all components, from chassis and cab to aerial ladder and apparatus body.
Sutphen Urbana is home to Sutphen’s extreme-duty custom chassis line, the corporate service and technical center, and the Ohio custom pumper line. Meanwhile, the company’s other operations in Dublin, Ohio; Hilliard, Ohio; and Lake Aerial, Pennsylvania, will remain in their current locations.
For more information visit www.sutphen.com
