At Smeal, we believe transparency is imperative to a strong customer relationship. We want to make sure your department understands every step of the process, so the only thing that surprises you is our commitment to exceeding expectations. That's why we've outlined our process below to keep you well informed about the manufacturing process of building your apparatus. Please contact us for further information. We look forward to building you the best fire apparatus in the industry. We build fire apparatus.
The selling dealership will prepare a Clean Order Package (COP). The entire order entry process takes approximately 30 days before you will see a pre-construction meeting scheduled.
You will receive paint sample and a confirmation sheet approximately 7 days after receipt of order. We want to ensure you have this sample to confirm this vital part of the process. We want you to be 100% sure your truck is going to be coming to your fleet in the correct color.
The pre-construction package will be sent to the dealership, who will schedule your pre-construction at the location as designated in your bid proposal. That may be at the plant, the dealerships office or your location. The dealership with work with your department personnel to plan accordingly in order to keep the process on schedule. The pre-construction meeting is vital to the process. We want everyone to be 100% clear on what you expect from Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. We build confidence.
Change orders are often included in the process of building an apparatus. A change order document is an official extension of the contract or purchase order. Any changes or clarifications, regardless how large or small, must be stated on an official Smeal change order form for complete accuracy when building your apparatus.
Once a change order has been through the entire approval process and officially signed by Smeal, a copy is sent to the dealership who then sends a copy to the customer.
After we receive the pre-construction package, a shop order document will be created. Our Engineering department will create job drawings as well as a final approval print. The bid specification and all change orders accepted prior to this stage will be implemented into the shop order document. The purchasing team will then order components for the apparatus and the build process will begin. A copy of the shop order document will be sent to the dealership along with final approval drawings. The dealership will pass this information on to the customer.
A pre-paint inspection, if applicable, will be the next step. We will notify the dealership of the pre-paint window two weeks in advance of the actual pre-paint inspection date. This allows the dealership and your department personnel to plan accordingly.
The final inspection takes place at our facility. We will notify the dealership two weeks in advance of the final inspection date. The completed apparatus will be located in our showroom, which is designed to allow a quiet atmosphere for department personnel to inspect the truck with minimal interference from the everyday production process.
If the apparatus contains an aerial, one of our training technicians will be in contact with department personnel approximately the same time as final inspection notification. The technician, dealership and department personnel shall negotiate an agreed upon training schedule that normally consists of a consecutive three day period. Pumper apparatus training varies and is to be scheduled with the dealership exclusively.
Smeal Fire Apparatus issues invoices for final payment of the apparatus at the time of the final inspection completion notice. Terms for payment are always per contractual requirements.
The employees of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. take great pride in manufacturing each and every fire apparatus. We sincerely hope the experience of purchasing your new apparatus is a smooth and positive process. We look forward to working with your department personnel! We build pride in ownership.
