Today, May 31, 2019, marks the last day for Mike Marquis, vice president of Rescue 1 Sales, at P.L. Custom Body and Equipment Co., Inc. (PLCB) and the beginning of a well-deserved retirement. Marquis is capping off a successful 36-year career in Manasquan, New Jersey. Over the years, Marquis grew with the company, working first as an electrician, followed by developing our graphics department, then as a contract coordinator, and finally as the driving force behind our Rescue 1 division.
Initially sold as PL Custom Emergency Vehicles Rescue Trucks, Marquis and Bud Smock developed the rescue division into what is now known as Rescue 1. Formalized with that name in 1985, Marquis became synonymous with the Rescue 1 Extreme Duty brand of rescues, command centers, hazmat, and other specialty purposed emergency vehicles produced under the Rescue 1 moniker.
Under his watch, Rescue 1 has grown to enjoy a solid reputation as a custom manufacturer of Extreme Duty rescue trucks. Marquis became intimately involved with each unit that was built at PLCB, developing strong relationships with Rescue 1 customers. In discussing his retirement date, Marquis said, “I have seen Rescue 1, and by extension, PL Custom, expand into new markets. The Rescue 1 brand has made tremendous strides, and I look forward to watching the continued growth. Now I am looking forward to focusing on family and fishing. I have met and worked with many great people over these past 3+ decades, from customers, sales reps, vendors, and fellow employees. It has been a great career and I know that our past will shape our future.”
Today’s fire and emergency vehicle manufacturing industry is filled with daily personnel changes and company acquisitions. Just as PLCB remains a privately held, family-owned company today, Marquis’s continuity with our Rescue 1 division is in stark contrast to the prevailing industry trend.
PLCB looks forward to hearing stories from Mike of his well-deserved retirement and know that he looks forward to spending time with his wife, Irene; his two sons, Michael and Matthew; and his dogs, Bro and Dude. On behalf of everyone in Manasquan, PLCB wishes Marquis all the best!
For more information, visit https://rescue1mfg.com/.