Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company built over 1500 fire engines between 1911 and 1977. The roots of the company go back to the 1850s under different names. In 1975, the Ahrens Manufacturing Company got it start. In 1891 Ahrens merged with three other manufacturers to become the American Fire Engine Company which in 1903 merged with International Fire Engine Company to become the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company. Ahrens Mfg. broke from American LaFrance in 1904 and in 1910 became the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company. Ahrens Fox was recognized as the 'Rolls Royce" of fire trucks, reflecting not only its expense but also it quality. Many Ahrens Fox pumpers are still operational today.