First Priority Group Announces New 75,000 Sq. Ft. Production Facility in Lakewood, New Jersey
Manchester, NJ – April 16, 2026 - First Priority Group, a diversified manufacturer, upfitter, and dealer of emergency and specialty vehicles, today announced that it will transition its Remount and EMS operations from its Manchester, New Jersey facility to a new purpose built 75,000 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Lakewood, New Jersey in June 2026.
This strategic move marks a significant milestone in FPG’s continued growth and investment in operational excellence. The new Lakewood facility will serve as a centralized hub for ambulance remount production, ambulance upfits, full-service body shop operations and dedicated ambulance service operations. Designed to optimize workflow and increase production capacity, the expanded footprint will allow FPG to better support their customers while maintaining the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
First Priority Group originally established its Manchester presence in 2006. Over the past two decades, the facility played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s expansion and strengthening its reputation for quality, innovation and customer service. As operations evolve to support the next phase of company growth, the move to Lakewood represents both a new chapter and a proud reflection on the strong foundation built in Manchester. The increased square footage and enhanced production layout are instrumental in allowing First Priority Group to accommodate larger municipal and commercial fleet orders, while continuing to scale its growing dealer network.
“Our Manchester facility played a vital role in building the foundation of who we are today,” said Alex Cherepakhov, CEO of First Priority Group. “The transition to Lakewood represents the next phase of our evolution — expanding our capabilities, increasing capacity and positioning our team to meet the growing demands of our dealer partners and customers, while strengthening our operational efficiency and long-term growth.”
The transition is expected to be completed in June 2026, with operations fully integrated into the new facility shortly thereafter. In addition to the remount production and service operations, the Lakewood facility will also serve as the company’s central location for new ambulance upfits, further strengthening its ability to support customers. First Priority Group remains steadfast in its mission of providing vehicles for our everyday heroes — ensuring first responders with reliable, mission-ready emergency vehicles they can depend on when it matters most.
About First Priority Group
Established in 1998, First Priority Group (FPG) is a diversified manufacturer and dealer of emergency and specialty vehicles. FPG's Conversion Division is one of the largest upfitters of emergency command and specialty vehicles, providing custom solutions to law enforcement, emergency and commercial customers throughout the US. FPG’s EMS Division distributes new ambulances manufactured by the Demers Braun Crestline (DBC) group while serving as one of nation’s largest remounters. To learn more about First Priority Group, please visit https://www.1fpg.com