Doug Roethler of Life Line Emergency Vehicles

Doug Roethler of Life Line Emergency Vehicles

February 27, 2023

“Top quality Saves Lives.”

At Lifestyle Line Crisis Autos, this seemingly simple phrase encapsulates the critically vital roles performed by the folks behind this Sumner, Iowa-based company. For much more than 35 yrs, communities across the country have entrusted their emergency car requires to Existence Line – an award-profitable, employee-owned enterprise whose group understands that dependability, basic safety and longevity are of the utmost great importance when seconds count. 

The company’s the latest recognition in Washington, D.C., as the 2022 National Employee-Owned Corporation of the Yr was centered on one particular major aspect: commitment. From its dedication to workforce and commitment to group, this compact producing business is dwelling up to Sumner’s big motto, “The Town with a Foreseeable future.” Frequently reinventing alone to stay globally competitive, Existence Line is further more proving that its investment in individuals now will be certain a robust long term for them tomorrow. 

Doug Roethler, Lifetime Line’s director of functions, oversees engineering, producing, paying for, quality, safety, HR and servicing for the company. A proud Iowa indigenous, Doug gave us a behind-the-scenes seem at how Life Line Emergency Autos became a trusted companion for initially responders across the nation and how the company’s investments in new technology have further cemented Daily life Line as a big participant in the production area.

Q: Where did you expand up, and what led you to doing the job in Iowa/at Life Line Crisis Automobiles? How did you opt for this career?

Doug Roethler (DR): I grew up in a rural local community in northeast Iowa in the vicinity of Riceville. Whilst ending up my training at the College of Northern Iowa, I worked as a equipment operator, challenge supervisor and manufacturing supervisor for a nearby manufacturer. I expended a minor much more than 20 many years with that corporation, then moved on to provide as director of functions for an engineering enterprise specializing in custom equipment builds. Although I was there, I realized my abilities could be set to better use, which is what led me to Everyday living Line. I’ve been listed here for a couple of several years, and it is been a definitely fulfilling expertise. 

Q: Convey to us about what Daily life Line Emergency Automobiles does and the kinds of clients/industries you serve. What is the company best regarded for?

DR: Lifestyle Line generates high-conclusion, custom made ambulances offered as a result of a community of distributors that provide a range of municipalities – from large metropolitan spots to small communities. Over the decades, we’ve built a reputation for superior excellent, many thanks largely to specialised producing processes that make certain our autos fulfill our close customers’ exacting benchmarks. From the aluminum exteriors down to the circuit boards, we acquire specific treatment to make certain our ambulances set EMTs in the best placement feasible to provide their communities. 

Q: How has your role at Life Line progressed because you began? Equally, how has the company progressed how it operates – new technological advances, new production processes, and so on.?

DR: My purpose is the similar considering the fact that I started two decades back, but our procedures and how we integrate new systems have enhanced our enterprise for the superior. We’ve invested in highly developed laptop or computer numerical control (CNC) bending equipment to guidance R&D projects that will raise efficiencies though reducing repetitive motion accidents. We are also investing in robotics to help in comparable performance gains. These investments will permit us to carry on acquiring our team’s skillset by way of alternatives to attain encounter with new equipment and new processes.

Q: What appeals to you about dwelling and performing in Iowa?

DR: I’ve lived and labored in Iowa my total lifetime. I love to journey, but at the end of the working day, Iowa’s small key, roomy and gorgeous natural environment is what I desire. While I was with my very first career, my family members and I were near to relocating to Birmingham (Alabama) for another opportunity in just the corporation. We sold our home and set ideas in movement, but at the previous moment, we had 2nd views about leaving our networks and extended family. Moreover, the high quality of lifestyle in this article was difficult to beat, so we made a decision to continue to be. A few of a long time afterwards, I landed at Everyday living Line, so I’d say the decision to stick all around worked out effectively. 

Q: How does what the state gives to companies issue in when thinking of the prospects and accomplishment you have attained?

DR: Without having the help of grants obtained from the Iowa Economic Advancement Authority, it may well not have been doable to devote in the CNC bending equipment and robotics. In my viewpoint, the point out is really proactive about serving to brands and other organizations realize their ambitions and so significantly additional. 

Q: What is following on the horizon for Existence Line?

DR: We’re enthusiastic to introduce even extra ground breaking tools and ideas into our production and administrative processes. A number of of our lengthy-tenured colleagues lately retired, and their institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. But provided today’s ultracompetitive labor market, this shift also opens the doorway to new and enhanced alternatives to fill that hole and additional establish our current workforce, which is key to continuing our advancement.