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A closer look See the trucks Pierce will hold a 100th Anniversary Open House Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Visit the Appleton facility to see how Pierce manufactures its fire trucks. The event offers children's activities, plant tours and a 100th anniversary ceremony at 1 p.m. On Sunday, July 14, Pierce will host a 9/11 Stair Climb from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lambeau Field to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Also last fall, a team from Fairfax County Virginia Fire & Rescue, a long-standing Pierce customer, held a preconstruction conference at Pierce for two heavy rescue vehicles that the department was replacing. That was in addition to three pumpers and two tower vehicles the department was in the process of developing as well. The department needs a manufacturer that's willing to meet its needs, "and Pierce is that manufacturer," says Robert Upchurch, chairman of the apparatus committee for the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department. "They're the ones that can do just about anything." The biggest need for the Fairfax department lately has been more been a little tweak here and there," Upchurch says. "But basically we try to keep the design as close to the same batches as before." On average, 12,000 customers each year visit the Pierce facility. "Years ago some of the competitors…tried to standardize. They said, 'No, you know what? We're going to build fire trucks this way.' That's why they're not in business anymore." –Tim S mits, national sales manager for Pierce accessibility for maintenance, so one of the department's mechanics was present to bring his perspective. "Whether it's been something that's worked out durability-wise, maintenance-wise, there's always "We really encourage our customers to come here, or potential customers, because 99 percent of the time, once we get them here and they tour our facilities, we sell them a truck," Smits says. BREAKOUT in the Fox Cities WISCONSIN 41 45 Groups of Ten to 2,000 94 10 KAUKAUNA MENASHA FOXCITIES 21 APPLETON 43 151 10 41 NEENAH 41 LAKE WINNEBAGO w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m 15+ Facilities with Affordable Meeting Space Downtown hotels are just steps from great dining, nightlife and shopping. Begin planning your perfect meeting at FREE BUREAU SERVICES foxcities.org or call 800-236-6338 J u n e 2 013 • Insight | 31