MODUS: The Method Behind Custom

At Hub Fire Engines, we’ve proudly built a reputation as Canada’s oldest continuous manufacturer of custom fire apparatus — crafting one-of-a-kind vehicles to meet the unique needs of fire services across the country. That legacy continues. But as the demands on today’s fire departments grow and resources tighten, so too must the way we build.

That’s why we’re introducing MODUS, our next-generation modular manufacturing system — a disciplined and efficient method that enables us to deliver custom performance faster, smarter, and more cost-effectively, without compromising what makes a Hub vehicle unique.

What Is MODUS?

MODUS is not a product. It’s a manufacturing method — a streamlined, modular approach to designing and building fire trucks that allows us to integrate pre-engineered components and assemblies into custom-built vehicles. Just as the aerospace industry has shifted toward modular construction — where aircraft are built from standardized, precision-engineered sections — we are now doing the same for fire apparatus.

Under MODUS, we organize our vehicles into a series of standardized modules:

  • Pump and plumbing systems

  • Tank configurations

  • Body substructures

  • Equipment and storage compartments

  • Electrical and control panels

    Each module is engineered to integrate seamlessly with others, allowing our production team to build more efficiently — often in parallel — while still delivering a final product tailored to the operational needs of each customer.

How MODUS Helps Our Customers

MODUS is designed to address the real-world challenges that fire departments face:

  • Faster delivery: By using pre-engineered and validated modules, we reduce design hours and eliminate manufacturing delays.

  • Consistent quality: Each module is built using repeatable processes, ensuring fit, finish, and function meet our exacting standards.

  • Greater flexibility: Departments can choose from a range of options within each module, combining them in ways that suit their specific requirements.

  • Future-proofing: Modular construction allows for easier upgrades, repairs, or reconfigurations during the life of the vehicle.

    Whether you need a municipal pumper, a rescue-engine, or a water tender for rural operations, MODUS helps us get you the apparatus you need, faster — without sacrificing customization or reliability.

    MODUS vs. Traditional Custom Builds

    It’s important to understand what MODUS is — and what it isn’t.

    At Hub Fire Engines, we continue to design and build fully custom fire trucks for departments with highly specialized operational needs. These are often vehicles with unique footprints, complex systems, or mission-specific requirements that go beyond the limits of standardization.

    In contrast, MODUS is best suited for customers whose needs can be met with modular flexibility:

  • Departments looking for quicker delivery without compromising on key features

  • Fleet managers seeking commonality across multiple units

  • Municipalities balancing performance with cost-effectiveness

  • Departments facing increased wildland-interface threats needing versatile units fast

    Where our traditional custom builds provide limitless design freedom, MODUS offers optimized, modular design with faster lead times and lower complexity — all backed by the same engineering expertise, craftsmanship, and customer service that define the Hub name.

Two Paths. One Standard of Excellence.

With MODUS, we’re not replacing custom design — we’re expanding the way we deliver it.

Whether you choose a fully bespoke build or a MODUS-engineered configuration, every Hub apparatus is manufactured in Canada by a skilled team that takes pride in building vehicles that serve those who serve our communities.

MODUS by Hub Fire Engines. The method behind custom.