The Sutphen Experience

Family-Owned and Operated
Core Values & Mission Statement
Innovation
Integrity
Teamwork
Respect
Quality
Accountability
Mission Statement
Purpose Statement
Historical Timeline

2024
Sutphen opens the new Urbana facility
Sutphen Corporation officially opens its new Urbana facility at 935 S. Edgewood Avenue. The 185,000-square-foot facility increases capacity, increases jobs and increases the footprint of Sutphen throughout the fire industry.

2021
Sutphen breaks ground on new Urbana facility
131 years into the family business, Sutphen continues to grow. Fifth generation family members begin to take on leadership roles within the business and the Sutphen family recognizes the need for additional manufacturing capacity and office space. Pictured here are fourth, fifth and sixth generations of Sutphen family members.

2016
Rear Mount aerials introduced
Sutphen Corporation introduces its first rear-mount aerial apparatus with the SLR 75, a 75-foot, rear-mount, aerial ladder. While this is the first of its kind for Sutphen, it is only two years later in 2018 that Sutphen introduces a 108-foot version of its rear-mount aerial.

2004
Sutphen Unveils the SPH 100
After listening to customers ask for additional compartment space, more ground ladders and a shorter length truck, Sutphen develops its SPH 100 mid-mount aerial platform. The first SPH 100 was bought by Harrison City, Pennsylvania, and soon becomes the best-selling mid-mount aerial platform in the fire industry.

1997
Drew Sutphen and Julie Sutphen Phelps officially take over the business and become President of Sutphen Corporation and Sutphen Towers, respectively.
Upon Tom Sutphen’s retirement, he officially appoints the fourth generation to top leadership positions. Under Drew and Julie’s leadership, Sutphen continues to grow and develop to new heights never before seen by the business. Pictured here is Drew Sutphen on the front page of a local Columbus paper and Julie with her father, Tom Sutphen.

1987
Sutphen Corporation introduces its first split-tilt and full-tilt cabs.
As demand for tilt cabs grows, Sutphen Corporation introduces both a split-tilt and full-tilt cab to the market. The new cabs allow for more accessibility to the engine compartment and service after the sale. Pictured here is Drew Sutphen with the company’s first split-tilt cab.

1978
The Sutphen Hilliard facility opens
As Sutphen continues to grow, there is a need for expansion and the family business opens a second facility 15 minutes from the Dublin facility in Hilliard, Ohio. The strong interest in the 65-foot mini-tower leads to the creation of a separate plant dedicated solely to that product’s construction. Pictured here is one of the first mini-towers built at the Hilliard facility in the late 1970s.

1968
The first Sutphen custom chassis is manufactured
The first Sutphen custom chassis is manufactured in 1968 for the Washington D.C. Fire Department’s new 85-foot aerial apparatus. The second custom chassis is manufactured for a custom pumper destined for the local Dublin, Ohio, fire department, Washington Township.

1963
Sutphen builds and sells its first mid-mount aerial apparatus
Built with many of the same engineering applications as today’s Sutphen mid-mount apparatus, the first-ever mid-mount aerial firefighting apparatus was constructed and then sold to Norwalk, Ohio. The design, featuring huck bolts and a four-sided box boom, was the idea of Tom Sutphen and helped propel the business forward.

1960s
Tom and Bob Sutphen become President and Chairman of the Board, respectively
After the passing of Harry Sutphen, his son’s Bob and Tom, take over the family business. Bob becomes Chairman of the Board while Tom takes over as President. The two brothers are responsible for numerous traditions, processes, products, and business practices still implemented today by Sutphen Corporation.

1931
Harry Sutphen takes over as president of Sutphen Corporation
After the passing of C.H. Sutphen, his son, Harry, took over as president of the company. It is during this time that Harry Sutphen and Associates represented and sold Prospect Chemical carts and fire engines. Pictured here is Harry Sutphen coming home to his sons, Bob and Tom, after a week on the road selling equipment.

1890
C.H. Sutphen Starts Harry Sutphen and Associates
Clarence Sutphen begins selling fire hose, various firefighting tools and steam-powered pumping engines called sidewalk steamers. C.H.’s entrepreneurship begins the Sutphen family legacy in the fire service.
The Sutphen Family Leadership Team

Shelby Sutphen Chambers
Fifth Generation | President – Sutphen Corp.

Julie Sutphen Phelps
Fourth Generation | President – Sutphen Hilliard & East

Dan Sutphen
Fourth Generation | Vice President

Drew Sutphen
Fourth Generation | Chairman of the Board

Steven Phelps
Fifth Generation | IT & Business Systems

Andy Herb
Fifth Generation | Sales

Harry Sutphen
Fifth Generation | Sales

Megan Phelps
Fifth Generation | VP of Sutphen Hilliard