Rosenbauer America broke ground last month to expand its Lyons, S.D. fire apparatus manufacturing facility by 24,000 square feet. The project will cost $1 million and scheduled for completion by March 2008.

Rosenbauer hopes to add at least 50 new members to its existing staff of 250 over the next five years. With more employees, production is predicted to reach 700 trucks per year, up from the current 600.

“This new space means that we will be able to have shorter lead times,” said Harold Boer, CEO of Rosenbauer America.