Opening of Bids - Spec S - One or More 2018 or Newer Emergency Medical Vehicle - Horton Emergency Vehicle - Part 2

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throughout the US. This was an expensive venture for a small company but the Horton name became truly national at that point. In 1987 Carl and Ken sold their interest in the company to a new group of three. Two of the three came from Wendy's (John Funk and Joe Madigan). The other came from Vanner Inc. (Jim Sullivan). New ideas were born. With Jim Sullivan's vast knowledge of electronics and their implementation into automotive products the Horton 2000 solid state (and computerized) electrical system was born. Horton developed the first system of its kind. It allowed many new features to be born: Electrical Load Management, Ramp up power to each electrical circuit, Programmed Functions such as throttle controls and built in specific door open warning circuits and the list went on and on. The new management team also decided that it was time to part ways with Pierce. Horton needed to build their own bodies. This decision was made with the knowledge that it would take a great deal of investment and added physical manufacturing space. So a new location for manufacturing was found. Horton was to move to Grove City in 1992. The move was to an 8 acre complex, newly designed and built to focus on building ambulances. This new building was the first specifically designed to allow for a smoother flow of ambulances through the manufacturing process. In 1997 Horton was again sold. It became very obvious that the `Horton Model' was attracting a lot of attention. This attention attracted a lot of different financial gurus who had extremely deep pockets. A great team and great product had been assembled from day 1. An investment group from Indianapolis (Hammond, Kennedy Whitney) purchased Horton. This third set of owners wanted to expand the business even further. During this period the Halcore Group was formed. This group consolidated the ownership of Horton, Leader Industries and American Emergency Vehicles into one distinct, yet separate group. The course of innovation still continued on. The Horton Intelliplex (multi-plexed) electrical system was development and standardized upon. In 2002 Horton was sold for the fourth time. The purchasing company was another group of investors known as Transocean Capitol, Inc. It was during this period that the Horton HOPS (Horton Occupant Protection System) was developed. Finally, in 2010 Horton was sold for the final time to American Industrial Partners (AIP). AIP has brought very deep pockets to this company. The AIP group has since spun the group of automotive related companies that they own into a division known as Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV).