First built in 1968, Horton Emergency Vehicles is among the oldest and most respected emergency medical vehicle manufacturers in the world. Many of the innovations that have become standards of the ambulance industry were pioneered by Horton including the first van style ambulance, the first all-aluminum modular body vehicle, built-in hospital style electrically controlled oxygen systems, easy load lift up rear steps, solid state digital electrical systems, all aluminum modular cabinetry, power door locking system for patient area doors, automatic electrical load management systems, and countless others.
Horton is the only manufacturer to offer a rear occupant protection system utilizing airbags, harnesses and progressive resistance foam as standard equipment. Developed through years of testing, including crash testing dating back to the early 1970s, Horton’s overall design, material selections, and our integrated occupant safety systems have allowed Horton to become the undisputed industry leader in emergency medical vehicle design and safety.
Located in Grove City, Ohio, Horton engineers every vehicle around our customers’ specific needs and builds every vehicle from the ground up. Customization has been a point of pride throughout the years and continues to this day. To date, Horton has delivered over 20,000 vehicles since its inception. Our customers range from large municipalities to smaller agencies running only a handful of calls per year. Horton has also exported units around the world and is a GSA approved vendor for the U.S. Government.
Horton personnel are active in the Ambulance Manufacturers Division of the Truck and Body Equipment Association, the International Fire Chiefs Association, the American Ambulance Association, and the International First Aid and Rescue Association. Horton builds Types I & III vehicles to meet the federal K standard, NFPA standard and the CAAS standard. Sophisticated medical response programs have long used the Horton vehicle as the quality standard for the entire industry. This recognition, plus continued innovation and service, have placed Horton Emergency Vehicles among the largest manufacturers of custom ambulances in the world.
