Braun Industries Inc

Braun Industries, Inc, Manufacturer of Custom Handcrafted Ambulances began operation as a pattern shop in Lithopolis, Ohio in 1961. As the pattern making industry began to soften in the early 70’s, it became apparent the company needed to diversify. Everything began with a bid request for a new ambulance from the Village of Lithopolis. At the time, it seemed like a natural move for Braun Industries and the idea for the very first Braun Ambulance was born. The department liked their new ambulance and the direction of the company was decided.
In the ambulance field there was an ever-growing need for a high quality, custom built product, and the Braun family had the technology to build a handcrafted ambulance with superior design and quality. Twelve Braun ambulances were designed and custom built that first year in 1972. The demand for the high quality Braun handcrafted ambulances grew and by 1975 more production capacity was required.

Braun sold two ambulances to the Villages of Payne and Oakwood, Ohio and during the delivery had commented on their need to expand the production facility. The Oakwood CDC made a large manufacturing facility available to Braun Industries and in June of 1976, the move began. By fall 1976, Braun was in full production at the larger Oakwood facility with thirty-three employees.

During 1977, the Company's first full year in Oakwood, production had grown to fifty-nine vehicles. A year later, seventy-seven ambulances were produced and by 1984 production had climbed steadily to 160 superb, handcrafted ambulances being produced in the Oakwood, Ohio location. By this time, Braun Industries' reputation had grown to the point where Braun ambulances were considered by customer and competitor alike to be unmatched in the industry. As the Company continued to grow, additional production capacity was again required and in 1985 the module welding and fabrication departments were moved from the main plant in Oakwood to two buildings just west of Oakwood. Remounting capabilities were also added to the Braun service. The move created ten additional assembly bays in the main plant, paving the way for increased vehicle production.

In the year 1995, Braun built and installed two state-of-the-art down draft, heated paint booths and added a large CNC router to cut out body parts with .0004 repeatable accuracy. Expansion of facilities and refinement of the production processes continued as prime objectives of the Company. Computerized handling of all processes and streamlining of all production methods have pointed the way to continued growth and efficient production at Braun Industries, Inc.

By 1999, Braun had again out grown its multiple production facilities. Also in 1999, Charles J. Braun, founder of Braun Industries, retired and sold the business to Phil and Charma Braun. The new Braun management team agreed that if the Company was to continue to grow, a new modern manufacturing facility, with all phases of production under one roof, was necessary.

In May of 2000, Braun Industries, Inc. broke ground for a new state-of-the-art, 76,000 square feet manufacturing and corporate office facility in Van Wert, Ohio. By January 2, 2001, Braun was in operation in their new facility.

With the new plant and increasing sales and customer demands, the future for Braun Industries, Inc. looked bright, however on November 10th, 2002, a tornado tore through the Vision Industrial Park in Van Wert, including the manufacturing facility of Braun Industries. The storm damage required the replacement of the entire roof and 80% of the exterior walls on the building. Through community support and quick response from the Braun Employees, there was no lost work time for Braun employees although there was no heat or electricity the first week.

With continued growth, additional manufacturing space was again required. An additional 38,000 square feet of production and office space was added to the west side of the plant in 2005/2006. This addition gained more space in the fabrication, paint and body shop areas and also added 3 service bays. During the construction process an extensive reorganization of departments and assembly areas was completed. The production process and flow continues to be evaluated to maintain and improve efficiency. Braun Industries continues to offer it’s customers the strongest, safest ambulance on the road.