Pierre Thibault (Canada) Ltd.

For Carl Thibault Fire Trucks, see Carl Thibault.
Pierre Thibault (pronounced tee-boh) refers to a fire apparatus manufacturer located in Pierreville, Québec, Canada. The company operated under various legal names from 1928 to 1992. Pierre Thibault (ca. 1898-1961) was also the founder of the company.
==History==
Pierre Thibault became involved in the fire truck industry in the years after the First World War as part of his father's business. Charles Thibault (1873-1958) made hand pumps in Sorel, Québec and built horse-drawn fire apparatus for small Québec communities. In 1932, Pierre formed Camions Pierre Thibault and moved manufacturing operations to Pierreville in 1938. The company built several crash trucks for the Canadian government during the Second World War and expanded its sales to municipal fire departments across Canada soon after. Pierre Thibault added custom chassis and aerial ladders to the company lineup during the 1950s.
 
Logo Thibault 50's.jpg|Thibault logo in the 50's
Pierre_Thibault_1948.jpg|The factory in 1948
Thibault 243 Terrebonne.jpg|Typical 40's International KB8 pumper
When Pierre died in 1961, the company passed to his nine sons. The company continued to do well. However, by 1968, some of the sons wanted to leave the fire truck business, while others wanted to remain involved. Brothers René, Julien, Marion, Charles-Étienne and Yvon started Pierreville Fire Trucks in nearby Saint-François-du-Lac and the original company was sold to interests outside the family. In 1972, it went bankrupt, was sold and reformed as Pierre Thibault Canada (1972) Ltee.
Logo Thibault 1972.jpg|Pierre Thibault Canada (1972) Ltee logo
139331531 403399777428313 3581683644988451925 n.jpg|The round plate logo
In 1979, the company again fell on hard times and went bankrupt. Pierreville Fire Trucks had flourished and the brothers operating Pierreville decided to purchase the assets and order book of the old family firm. Brother René Thibault (1920-1982) was sent to negotiate and plan for the merger. However, René actually purchased the company for himself, leading to considerable discord among the family. René renamed the company Camions Pierre Thibault Inc.
Last Thibault logo.jpg|The last logo of Camions Pierre Thibault Inc
Logo Thibault 80s.jpg|An alternate version 
Pierre Thibault continued to manufacture trucks and aerial devices after René's death in 1982 and Pierreville's bankruptcy in 1985. However, the company went bankrupt for a final time in 1992. Outside investors purchased the assets of the company and operated it as NovaQUINTECH Corporation. NovaQUINTECH received investment from Québec conglomerate Bombardier in 1994. A large order of fire apparatus for the Canadian Armed Forces were completed by NovaQUINTECH, but have gold coloured Thibault name plates on the front of the cab. In 1995, NovaQUINTECH stopped building pumpers, concentrating solely on aerial devices. In 1997, it sold its line of aerial products (the SkyArm, SkyFour and SkyFive line of aerial devices) to Pierce Manufacturing.
==Companies owned by members of the Thibault family ==
*Camions Richelieu (1928-1938)
*Pierre Thibault (1939-1953)
*Pierre Thibault Canada Ltée (1953-1971)
*Camions Incendie Pierreville Ltée (1968-1985)
*Tibotrac Inc. (November 28, 1979-December 17, 1998)
*Camions Pierre Thibault Inc. (1980-1992)
*Camions Phoenix Inc. (1985-1992)
*Camions Carl Thibault Inc. (1992-present)
*Industries Lafleur (Originally founded 1937; reformed 1969-present) (Purchased by Léon Thibault in 1992)
==Products==
=== Fire Apparatus ===
Thibault built all types of apparatus on commercial, custom, and Thibault-built apparatus. Trucks were sold across Canada and throughout the United States (particularly in the Northeast). In addition, apparatus was sold to fire departments in Jamaica, Columbia, and Chile, as well as a few to the Middle East.
=== Custom chassis ===
Thibault developed three different custom trucks over the years, the first one was the WIT, a conventional cab truck produced from 1950 to 1960. The Thibault AWIT, a cabover chassis, was produced from 1957 to 1969, with its early incarnation using parts built by Budd Company. Finally, a third custom truck, built with the Cincinnati cab was built from 1965 to 1976. The exact designation of this last chassis varies depending on its purpose (aerial or pumper), the engine manufacturer (Cummins, Detroit Diesel, General Motors, International, or Waukesha), and the size of the motor.
=== Pumps ===
Thibault operated a foundry at their plant for years, during the years of operation they produced their own pumps for their fire apparatuses, pump trailers, and portable pumps as well.
===== Fire apparatus pumps =====
Centrifugal pumps were available with a capacity from 420 IGPM up to 1250 IGPM. Thibault pumps were Underwriter and C.S.A. tested and certified. Pumps were made of copper, bronze, or stainless steel.
Thibault also offered a 200-250 IGPM booster pump operating from the driving shaft or the power take-off (PTO). This booster pump, which could deliver a pressure of up to 1200lbs, was offered on fire apparatus and on tankers with watering jets to clean streets. 
Somewhere in the 1970s or the 1980s, Thibault stopped making pumps and used Hale pumps instead.
Fire apparatus pump models
Model number	Stages 	Capacity (IGMP)	Capacity (USGMP)
15-370-200 	Unknown 	200 to 250 	250 to 300
15-392-500 	2 stages	500 	600
15-392-600 	2 stages	625 	750
15-392-800 	2 stages	840 	1000
15-393-500 	1 stage 	500 	600
15-393-600 	1 stage 	625 	750
15-393-800 	1 stage 	840 	1000
15-394-500 	Unknown 	500 	600
15-396-100 	5 stages
High pressure pump	625 to 840 	750 to 1000
==== Pump trailers ====
Thibault built multiple pump trailers over the years, most of them were rated at either 420 IGPM, 500 IGPM or 625 IGPM.
In the 1950s, a standard 500 IGPM trailer pump was equipped with a Chrysler 251 cu. in. engine, an electric starter, an 11 gallons gasoline tank, ignition switch, dash lights, gas indicator, heat indicator, oil indicator, ammeter, starter button, choke, accelerator, pump primer, and pressure gauge.
The pump itself was a single-stage centrifugal pump that could deliver 500 IGPM at 120lbs, 250 IGPM at 200lbs or 165 IGPM at 250lbs. The pump had a single 4" inlet with two 2"1/2 outlets with quick acting valves.
The trailer was equipped to carry one 20' length of 4" suction hose, 400ft of 2"1/2 hoses, and a toolbox. The bodywork was made of 16 gauge cold-rolled steel.
DSCF0164.JPG|1948 typical pump trailer
DSCF0166.JPG|Thibault control pannel of an 1948 pump trailer
==== Portable pumps ====
Pierre Thibault produced several portable pump models, some models were still being produced just before the final bankruptcy in 1990. The line of portable pumps was likely bought by CET Fire Pumps Mfg. in 1990.
Portable pump models
Model number	Engine	Inlet 	Outlet(s)	Capacity (IGPM)
BS16 	16 HP 	1x 3" 	1x 2"1/2 	375 IGPM @25 PSI
210 IGPM @ 50 PSI
100 IGPM @ 100 PSI
G32 	32 HP 	1x 4" 	2x 2"1/2 	450 IGPM @ 30 PSI
270 IGPM @ 120 PSI
87 IGPM @ 200 PSI
P-303-B 	13 HP 	1x 2"1/2	1x 2"1/2 	192 IGPM @ 25 PSI
156 IGPM @ 55 PSI
92 IGPM @ 95 PSI
P-509 	65 HP 	1x 4" 	2x 2"1/2 	442 IGPM @ 78 PSI
385 IGPM @ 100 PSI
275 IGPM @ 141 PSI
=== Ladders ===
==== Aerial devices ====
Pierre Thibault started to build their own aerial devices in the mid-1950s. Before that, Pierre Thibault used aerial ladders from Metz, Merryweather, Bickle-Seagrave, and Pirsch. 
The company was at a time the exclusive Canadian distributor for Mack, for Squrt built by the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company, and for snorkel built by Highway Trailer Industries.
Aerial devices models
Model name 	Description 	Length 	Notes
65' Ladder 	4-sections steel ladder 	65' 	
75' Ladder 	3-sections or 4-sections steel ladder 	75' 	
85' Ladder 	4-sections steel ladder 	85' 	
100' Ladder 	4-sections steel ladder 	100' 	
Élévateur Mobile Thibault	Articulating boom with a platform 	65' or 75' 	Possibly only two were ever built, one for Anjou, Québec and one for Shawinigan, Québec.
SkyArm 	4-sections steel ladder platform with the last section articulated	100' 	SkyArm design became the property of NovaQuintech Corporation after bankruptcy in 1990. The design was sold to Pierce Manufacturing in 1997 and was produced until 2012.
Sky-Boom 	2-sections or 3-sections steel telescopic boom with ladder 	55', 60' or 75'	Sky-Boom design became the property of NovaQuintech Corporation after bankruptcy in 1990. The design was sold to Pierce Manufacturing in 1997 and is still produced today. It is unknown if Thibault actually used the name Sky-Boom.
SkyFive 	5-sections steel ladder 	100' 	SkyFive design became the property of NovaQuintech Corporation after bankruptcy in 1990. The design was sold to Pierce Manufacturing in 1997 but was not produced by them. It is unknown if Thibault actually used the name SkyFive.
SkyPod 	4-sections steel ladder platform 	100' 	SkyArm design became the property of NovaQuintech Corporation after bankruptcy in 1990. The design was sold to Pierce Manufacturing in 1997.
=== Ground ladders ===
Pierre Thibault also built different models of ground ladders, all of them were built in aluminium. The line of ground ladders was likely bought by CET Fire Pumps Mfg. in 1990.
Ground ladders models
Model name	Type 	Length 	Model name	Type 	Length 	Model name	Type 	Length
19-108 	Folding ladder, 2"1/2 thick 	8'-3" 	19-416 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	16'-3" 	19-730 	3-sections ladder, 7"5/8 thick 	29'-6"
19-110 	Folding ladder, 2"1/2 thick 	10'-7" 	19-418 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	18'-3" 	19-732 	3-sections ladder, 7"5/8 thick 	32'-7"
19-112 	Folding ladder, 2"1/2 thick 	11'-10"1/2	19-420 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	20'-3" 	19-735 	3-sections ladder, 7"5/8 thick 	36'-2"
19-114 	Folding ladder, 2"1/2 thick 	14'-2"1/2 	19-512 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	12'-3" 	19-815 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	15'-0"
19-208 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	8'-3" 	19-514 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	14'-3" 	19-818 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	17'-9"
19-210 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	10'-3" 	19-516 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	16'-3" 	19-820 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	20'-1"
19-212 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	12'-3" 	19-518 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	18'-3" 	19-824 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	24'-8"
19-214 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	14'-3" 	19-520 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	20'-3" 	19-828 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	28'-0"
19-216 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	16'-3" 	19-522 	1-section ladder, 3"1/2 thick 	22'-3" 	19-830 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	30'-3"
19-220 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	18'-3" 	19-610 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	10'-5" 	19-832 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	32'-7"
19-218 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3" thick 	20'-3" 	19-612 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	12'-9" 	19-835 	2-sections ladder, 6" thick 	35'-0"
19-312 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	12'-3" 	19-615 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	15'-0" 	19-840P 	2-sections ladder with poles, 6" thick 	39'-10"
19-314 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	14'-3" 	19-618 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	17'-9" 	19-928 	3-sections ladder, 8"3/4 thick 	28'-2"
19-316 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	16'-3" 	19-620 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	20'-1" 	19-930 	3-sections ladder, 8"3/4 thick 	29'-5"
19-318 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	18'-3" 	19-624 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	24'-8" 	19-932 	3-sections ladder, 8"3/4 thick 	32'-7"
19-320 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	20'-3" 	19-628 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	27'-10"	19-935 	3-sections ladder, 8"3/4 thick 	36'-2"
19-322 	Roof ladder with hooks, 3"1/2 thick	22'-3" 	19-630 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	30'-3" 	19-935P 	3-sections ladder with poles, 8"3/4 thick	36'-2"
19-408 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	8'-3" 	19-632 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	32'-7" 	19-940P 	3-sections ladder with poles, 8"3/4 thick	39'-8"
19-410 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	10'-3" 	19-635 	2-sections ladder, 5"1/4 thick	35'-0" 	19-945P 	3-sections ladder with poles, 8"3/4 thick	46'-6"
19-412 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	12'-3" 	19-724 	3-sections ladder, 7"5/8 thick	24'-8" 	19-950P 	3-sections ladder with poles, 8"3/4 thick	50'-2"
19-414 	1-section ladder, 3" thick 	14'-3" 	19-728 	3-sections ladder, 7"5/8 thick	28'-2" 	19-955P 	3-sections ladder with poles, 8"3/4 thick	55'-0"
==Factories and offices==
Type 	City 	Address 	In Service 	Notes
Plant 	Pierreville 	38, Rue Thibault 	1938 - 1961	Demolished for the construction of a new factory in 1961.
Plant 	Pierreville 	38, Rue Thibault 	1961 - 1990	Used by Carl Thibault Fire Trucks since 2000.
Plant 	Saint-François-du-Lac	155, Route Marie-Victorin	1985 - 1990	Former Pierreville Fire Trucks plant, acquired after bankruptcy in 1985.
Sales office	Montréal 	1559, Rue Jean-Talon Est 	 	In service in the 1950s
Sales office	Quebec City 	227, Rue Dorchester 	 	In service in the 1950s
==External Links==
*Thibault History and Apparatus from the Canadian Fire Truck Archive
*Historique de la famille Thibault: Manufacturiers d'Équipements de Lutte Contre les Incendies
Thibault
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