Company exemplifies the best of Saskatchewan’s manufacturing industry
Crestline is a Saskatoon-based company that manufactures high-quality ambulances. With its international reach, it is proudly showcasing the strength of Saskatchewan’s manufacturing sector. After 49 years in the business, Crestline has become an institution in Saskatchewan’s manufacturing landscape.
Almost half a century ago, Ken Sawatsky and Peter Adsten had a vision to create the world’s best ambulances from their offices in Saskatoon. The duo had earlier founded Crescent Ambulance Service in 1971 after years of service at different ambulance companies, so they had a pretty good idea of the type of vehicle that would meet their needs.
They took a 1968 Meteor station wagon and retrofitted it for their ambulance company. The design worked so well that they began manufacturing suburban and van style ambulances for other companies in the province. By 1975, they formed a new company, Crestline Coach Ltd., to manage the manufacturing side of their business.
It wasn’t long before Crestline became the driving force in their lives. They sold their ambulance service in order to devote all their resources to the manufacturing of ambulances and other specialty vehicles. They added Ronn Janzen as a business partner in 1978.
Today Crestline is a global leader in the ambulance and specialty vehicle manufacturing sector and a successful distributor of small to mid-sized buses within Canada. The company employs upwards of 325 at its 110,000 square foot facility in Saskatoon and ships its products to customers around the world, including Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe, and Central and South America.
“Growing a company can have its challenges, but it becomes easier when you know you’ve got a tie to supporting the greater good of your community through our ambulances and buses. It is also easier with the quality of people that call their work home Crestline. We take it as a great privilege to continue the Crestline brand that was brought into existence by Ken, Peter and Ronn,” said Steve Hoffrogge, President and CEO.
Hoffrogge joined the company in 2013 as it was continuing its transition into a global ambulance manufacturer. The founders made significant strides with the business and by the time of their retirement in 2004, Crestline had captured 80 per cent of the market share from British Columbia to Quebec. At that time Crestline was purchased by three members of its management team: Tim Morrow, Darryl Bitz and Geoff Booth, with financial support from a syndicate of investment funds.
Hoffrogge said that Crestline enhanced its Saskatoon operations during the pandemic when it made the strategic decision to develop a new value focused ambulance platform targeted towards the U.S. market. Response to this initiative was so strong that Crestline added another 30,000 square feet to its Saskatoon facility to meet increasing demand.
“We operate a three-shift rotation and continue to see great demand for a product that has many of the same fundamental aspects of the ambulance that was delivered 20 years ago in terms of a reliable, durable ambulance that focusses on patient and medic safety,” said Hoffrogge.
Although best-known for its ambulances, he said that Crestline is also recognized for its speciality vehicle business including shuttles, public transit, and vans. The company entered the marketplace through its existing relationships with municipalities. After developing relationships through ambulance sales, it was a natural extension to discuss busing solutions. It all fits as the company provides solutions to improve people’s lives.
“There’s a real appeal to being part of something that is quality of life orientated,” explained Hoffrogge. “Whether you rely on municipal transportation as part of your daily maneuverability or extending your maneuverability for living with wheelchair accessibility.”
Crestline is making a significant contribution towards Saskatchewan’s economy by creating well-paying, manufacturing jobs in the province.
The company strives to be an employer of choice and the ability to improve people’s quality of life is an added appeal for employee recruitment and retention. As Crestline has grown considerably over the years, it has turned to the international labour force to meet demand. The company has participated in various Government of Saskatchewan career fairs to the Philippines dating back to 2007.
Employees with Filippino descent are now approaching about 50 per cent of the company’s operations. In fact, some of the first 17 individuals the company sponsored in its initial recruitment drive are still with the company and their children are now part of the staff. Last December, with the support of Saskatchewan’s international office network and the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, the company went on another recruitment mission and identified 21 individuals from the Philippines who may be joining the company in the future. In recent years, an increasing number of Ukrainian refugees have also been joining its workforce.
“It’s the combination of their drive and work ethic along with the meaningful work that we do here that has allowed us to scale,” said Hoffrogge. “There is a healthy dose of what I like to call prairie ingenuity. It’s a focus on getting things done and it’s contagious. It’s not just from people who are born and raised here, but it has a lot to do with the type of people who are coming to Saskatchewan and calling it home.”
He added that this ingenuity, coupled with the provincial government’s commitment to the business community through programs that encourage investment in capital equipment and innovation, make Saskatchewan a great place to conduct business. Saskatoon also provides programs that encourage investment to expand facilities.
Another aspect that shouldn’t be underestimated is the quality of life that the city offers. Hoffrogge said that many employees enjoy living in Saskatoon and that helps the company retain its key leaders and management staff.
“I feel very fortunate to lead a company that will be marking its 50th anniversary in 2025,” he said. “We’re a very unique group in Saskatchewan to have successfully conducted business for that period of time. I truly feel that the best is still ahead of us in terms of growth and opportunity.”
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Trade and Export Development
Regina
Phone: 306-526-6302
Email: media.ted@gov.sk.ca