Gustafson named boss of American LaFrance

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 19, 2003) — The former Volvo Trucks North America president and CEO has been named president of Freightliner LLC subsidiary American LaFrance Corp.

Freightliner announced yesterday that Marc F. Gustafson has been named the new president of American LaFrance Corp., which distributes fire and emergency apparatus. Gustafson, 51, served as president and CEO of Volvo Trucks from 1996-2001 and was head of sales and marketing for Mack Trucks Inc. from 1992-1996. Prior to his corporate positions, he was a multi-franchise dealer of heavy-duty trucks in the southeastern U.S.

“Gustafson is an excellent choice to lead American LaFrance in meeting head-on the current challenges of the fire and emergency apparatus market while continuing the company’s commitment to product and customer service excellence,” said Juergen Kritschgau, chief financial officer for Freightliner LLC and vice chairman of the American LaFrance board of directors.

According to Kritschgau, the fire and emergency apparatus market has been significantly impacted by the fiscal crises that have struck so many states and municipalities. As the new president of American LaFrance, Gustafson is charged with improving American LaFrance’s market and financial performance and in building on investments in product, facilities and customer support.

Gustafson succeeds Don Stewart, who has served as president of American LaFrance since March 2001.

Gustafson will once again compete with Jim Hebe, former Freightliner president who also recently entered the fire truck business by acquiring Seagrave Fire Apparatus, a privately held maker of fire and emergency vehicles, with other investors last month.


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