Stellar Industries, a manufacturer and upfitter of service vehicles, utility equipment, and trailers, has acquired Midwest Fire, a custom fire apparatus manufacturer headquartered in Luverne, Minnesota.

The acquisition expands Stellar’s purpose-built work truck portfolio into the fire and emergency response market, adding Midwest Fire’s nearly four decades of specialized apparatus experience to Stellar’s manufacturing capabilities. Stellar said the companies share a commitment to customer-focused design, product quality, and American manufacturing.

Midwest Fire joins the lineup of Stellar brands, which also includes Elliott Equipment Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial work platforms, digger derricks, and cranes serving the utility infrastructure, municipal, construction, and sign and lighting markets.

Nearly Four Decades of Fire Apparatus Experience

Since 1987, Midwest Fire has worked alongside firefighters to design and manufacture custom fire trucks, including brush trucks, pumpers, tankers, tanker-pumpers, quick-attacks, mini pumpers and Type 3 trucks. The company has built its reputation on practical design, customer collaboration, and equipment built to support fire departments in the field.

“While fire apparatus represents a new market for Stellar, Midwest Fire’s commitment to solid manufacturing and quality products is very familiar to us,” said Dave Zrostlik, president of Stellar. “This acquisition represents an exciting step forward as we expand into an adjacent market built on quality, trust and service.”

Headquartered in the American heartland, both Stellar and Midwest Fire manufacture all products in the United States. Similar to all brands under the Stellar umbrella, Midwest Fire also shares a dedication to delivering products with a global impact, best-in-class manufacturing and exceptional customer service.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Stellar family of brands” said Sarah Atchison, president and CEO of Midwest Fire. “Stellar’s manufacturing knowledge and capabilities are sure to support our brand in ways that otherwise might not be possible, and we are excited for our customers to experience the difference.”

Continued Commitment to Employee Ownership

Midwest Fire will operate as a distinct company under the Stellar umbrella of brands. Its headquarters and operations will remain in Luverne, Minnesota. Stellar will work closely with the Midwest Fire team to support customers, employees and vendors throughout the integration process. In addition, all eligible Midwest Fire employees will take part in Stellar’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

As a 100% employee-owned company, Stellar operates with a philosophy that aligns employee success directly with the company’s performance. Through the ESOP, each employee-owner has a vested interest in Stellar’s long-term success, fostering collaboration, innovation and shared accountability.

Stellar’s Growth Strategy

This acquisition represents a significant milestone in Stellar’s continued growth strategy, expanding the company into the fire apparatus market while building on its core strengths in purpose-built equipment manufacturing. The addition of Midwest Fire also creates new opportunities for growth while bringing together two companies with complementary manufacturing expertise and a shared commitment to the people who rely on their equipment.

“Real trucks for real people doing real work, that’s what both Stellar and Midwest Fire are committed to,” said Zrostlik. “We are excited to see what the future has in store.”