Just months after opening their new state-of-the-art factory in Calder Valley, Yorkshire-based firefighting appliance manufacturer, North Fire is winning new contracts from across the globe.
Following the announcement at the end of 2023 of industry stalwart, Oliver North’s, acquisition of Venari Group’s firefighting division and subsequent rebrand to North Fire, the team unveiled their new factory earlier this year.
North Fire is a vehicle conversion specialist. It takes a chassis and converts it into a firefighting appliance. Over the past two years, the company have now supplied over 120 armoured rescue vehicles for the Ukrainian Firefighters Foundation.
The company have also been winning contracts from across the globe and will soon commence production of North Fire firefighting vehicle technology for Indian fire brigades.
Commenting on their new state-of-the-art factory, North Fire’s founder and managing director, Oliver North, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to shine a spotlight on our hard work over the past few months in completing the acquisition, rebranding and setting up our new long-term home, that we will occupy for at least the next 12 years.
“The team that came with me alongside the acquisition have been supporting me as part of our journey in the industry for the past 17 years. And every piece of learning from our many accomplishments in that time will be harnessed at this stunning new factory – unrivalled engineering, produced at speed.”
The new 12,000 sq ft facility is nestled in the scenic Calder Valley village of Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire has already driven employment and ongoing revenue generation to the local area, utilising the local supply chains in a strong existing business community.
North Fire is a name very familiar with UK Fire and Rescue Services as a company that blazed a trail in the UK fire market between 2008 and 2014 before being acquired by the world’s largest firefighting truck manufacturer.
Oliver North added:
“When I acquired and separated the firefighting division of Venari from the Group, we effectively needed a new brand – the team all proposed bringing a variation of North Fire back which we all thought felt perfect. The name, which represents all of us, has serious, professional and genuine equity as a true innovator and a passionate servant of an industry that we love.
“From day one and over every vehicle produced, we will prove our unrivalled passion, ability and work ethic as we strive to become the UK’s most trusted and skilled vehicle manufacturer.”
North Fire’s factory foreman, Rory Wilde, has worked alongside founder and MD, Oliver North, since 2008. Mr Wilde added:
“Since we started in the fire and rescue vehicle market in 2008, we’ve always strived to be the best, and we can say through every phase to-date, we’ve achieved precisely that, whilst constantly learning and enjoying every step of the journey.
“Activation of North Fire Engineering allows us to stay focussed solely on our speciality – firefighting and rescue technology – without distractions from other fields. We have been able to hand pick the best and most passionate skilled workers in the industry, and our new state-of-the-art factory enables us to do it to the highest possible standards.”
North Fire says it is looking to increase its impact with product launches throughout the next 18 months. Following the recent launch of the 3.5t Rapid Response Vehicle, a 5.5 tonne appliance is due for release later this year, with larger 18t B-types and heavy rescue trucks expected in the first half of 2025.
There’s also a “significant export vehicle launch” at the end of 2024.
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