Beloeil, Quebec, and Van Wert, Ohio, February 2, 2018 – Demers Ambulances, a Quebec-based company recognized across Canada for its ambulance design and manufacturing expertise, has entered into a merger with Braun Industries, Inc., an Ohio manufacturer known for building custom ambulances for customers throughout the United States. By bringing together their technical strengths, long-standing reputations, and compatible cultures, the two companies are creating a significant new presence in the specialty vehicle sector.
Demers is the oldest continuously operating ambulance manufacturer in North America, with vehicles deployed in numerous countries. Joining forces with Braun supports its goal of increasing its market share across the continent and positioning the company more competitively on the global stage. Together, the companies now form the second-largest ambulance manufacturer in North America, giving the combined group the scale needed to support innovation and international expansion.
Founded in 1972, Braun is a family-owned company known for producing high-quality custom ambulances. With an established dealer network, a skilled workforce, and a strong brand presence in the U.S., Braun delivers several hundred units each year. The merger gives Braun greater capacity to invest in product improvements, strengthen value for customers, and expand service across its national network.
“We are very pleased with our progress in strengthening our presence and pursuing growth,” said Alain Brunelle, CEO of Demers Ambulances. “Partnering with Braun provides us the right opportunity to better serve our customers, reinforce our employee base, and expand our ability to innovate in a competitive global industry. Together, we look forward to growing the combined company and delivering strong products and service.”
“The timing is right to partner with Demers Ambulances, a company that shares our values, spirit of innovation, and commitment to quality and customers,” added Kim Braun, CEO of Braun Industries. “As our family considered different avenues for strategic growth, partnering with another successful brand that creates value for our workforce and our customers was a natural fit. With this merger, our employees, customers, and dealers gain the benefit of more than a century of combined experience.”
Kim Braun will remain responsible for Braun’s brands and operations in Van Wert, Ohio. Each company will continue operating under its existing brand, maintaining its facilities and teams. The combined organization will be led by Alain Brunelle.
The merger was supported by Clearspring Capital Partners, a Canadian private equity firm focused on mid-market growth, and by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a long-term institutional investor.
ABOUT DEMERS AMBULANCES
Founded in 1960, Demers Ambulances is Canada’s largest ambulance manufacturer and second in North America. Recognized as a leader in innovative products that meet and exceed the expectations of medical emergency specialists around the world, Demers Ambulances is accredited by Transport Canada and is recognized as a “Qualified Vehicle Modifiers” (QVM) by Ford, holds the US National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Member Verification Program (MVP) certification, and holds the BNQ1013 certification from the Bureau de Normalization du Québec (BNQ). To learn more about Demers Ambulances, visit www.demers-ambulances.com.
ABOUT BRAUN INDUSTRIES
Since 1972, Braun Industries, Inc. has been a leading ambulance manufacturer that is known for designing and building custom ambulances that are “Built for Life”. Braun’s ambulance models offer exclusive innovations such as SolidBody™ Construction, the EZ-Glide™ Sliding Door, the MasterTech™ IV Multiplex Electrical Control System, and the VitalMax™ Lighting System. Braun is a member of the National Truck and Equipment Association (NTEA), the Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD), and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). The company is headquartered in Van Wert, OH on a sprawling campus of 23 acres.
For more information, visit www.BraunAmbulances.com.
ABOUT CAISSE DE DÉPÔT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at June 30, 2017, it held CAD$286.5 billion in net assets. As one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt.
For more information, visit cdpq.com.
ABOUT CLEARSPRING CAPITAL PARTNERS
Clearspring Capital Partners is a leading Canadian mid-market private equity firm that invests in and acquires medium-sized companies through buyouts, growth and acquisition financings, going private transactions, industry consolidations, recapitalizations and other types of transactions. The Clearspring team works closely with the management team of its portfolio companies to ensure the creation of added value.
For more information, visit cscap.ca.