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Demand for remounts in Canada continues to rise, and many services are looking for faster ways to bring vehicles back into service. In that context, choosing a remount partner is not only a question of timelines. It is also a question of safety, compliance and knowing that the work is performed by a manufacturer who understands the original design and the standards that apply. As OEMs, Crestline and Demers have a responsibility to offer a remount process that supports those expectations and reduces the risks associated with third-party options. This responsibility is what guides our ongoing investments in people, facilities and operational improvements.
These efforts have brought remount timelines down from 14 to 9 months in Eastern Remount Centre and 6 months for our Saskatoon Remount Centre. Each improvement serves the same purpose: delivering vehicles faster without ever compromising safety or compliance. We’re committed to supporting EMS as a reliable partner today and for the long term.
Major improvements that shorten remount lead times
“Investments in Canada remain directed toward minimizing lead times, maintaining rigorous safety and compliance through a standardized remount program, and delivering exceptional value for customers.” – Scott Sawatsky, VP of Sales & Marketing.
In Eastern Canada, expanded facilities and a reorganized production layout have strengthened our ability to handle growing remount volumes. The dedicated space for parts, service and paint has created a more efficient flow, allowing our teams to shorten turnaround times without affecting consistency or quality.
In Western Canada, the expanded Saskatoon Remount Centre now operates with new installations, a dedicated production team and improved scheduling. These upgrades give services a faster and more predictable path to getting vehicles back on the road.
“We know how important it is for our customers to keep their fleets operational with minimal downtime. By streamlining our remount process, we’re helping services get back to saving lives while maintaining the quality and safety they trust.”– Bryan Manson, Shop Manager, Bus & Remounts
Who should you trust with an ambulance remount
Ambulances are complex vehicles built to support paramedics in environments where no compromise is acceptable. Remounting requires careful control of both technical and operational risks.
A remount is far more than assembling an existing module onto a new chassis. It means reintegrating a module designed years earlier onto a platform that has evolved through four to seven generations of chassis updates. While the module itself has not changed, the chassis has moved to new electrical architectures, different mechanical constraints and revised assembly methods. This gap creates real technical challenges.
Delivering a vehicle that is safe, compliant and reliable demands a deep understanding of the original design, how it has evolved over time, and the way each component interacts with the new chassis.
At the centre of this process is one key principle: responsibility. Under the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), the manufacturer performing the remount becomes the final-stage manufacturer in the eyes of Transport Canada and assumes full responsibility for the compliance of the remounted vehicle, regardless of the module’s original brand. Provincial requirements also apply.
EMS organizations, in turn, remain responsible for selecting their manufacturer and for the safety of their personnel and the patients they transport.
In that context, one question naturally follows:
Who better than the OEM to remount an ambulance?
Why choose a remount?
After several years in service, the chassis often becomes the main driver of maintenance costs, usually between the 4- to 6-year mark or around 250,000 to 350,000 kilometres. A remount extends the life of an existing patient module while avoiding the full cost of a new ambulance. Depending on the configuration, the savings typically range from $60,000 to $80,000.
A remount also supports a more sustainable lifecycle strategy by reusing the module rather than replacing the entire vehicle. This approach reduces material waste and helps EMS make better use of existing assets while maintaining the level of safety and reliability expected from an OEM.
For many services, the most effective approach is not choosing between remounts or new units. It is maintaining a balanced fleet plan that uses both to manage lifecycle costs, support long-term reliability and keep vehicles available when they are needed most.
What our customers have to say
“By using this strategy, we were able to decrease the lifecycle of an ambulance from 6-7 years tofour years, and use the savings to get additionalresources, like stretchers, without compromisingthe quality of service. (…) It reduces waste andhelps us stay sustainable. This lets us keep ourfleet modern and save taxpayer money. They’rejust as good, if not the same, as a new build.” Christopher Tomaras, Deputy Chief of Operations at Lethbridge FES. Read full testimonial here.
“I was one of those who wasn’t convinced. Butthe latest models I’ve seen, if you don’t stop tolook closely, you’d swear it’s a new one. You canbarely tell the difference. It’s come a long way” –Guillaume Dostie, Operating director – West region at Dessercom (QC). Read full testimonial here.
” In 2024, we remounted as many units aspossible, which allowed us to save.(…) We arevery pleased with the results of the remount.The outcomes from our first unit to the last havebeen consistently positive.” – Cam Bloomfield, Acting Supervisor of Equipment,Fleet, & Inventory Supplies at Peel Paramedic Services. Read full testimonial here.
Thanks to these investments, remounts are now completed more quickly and with the same level of safety, compliance and workmanship that define Crestline and Demers across Canada. EMS organizations are more than customers; they are partners who shape how we improve, expand and adapt our processes. Their needs remain at the centre of our commitment to supporting a dependable and sustainable future for Canadian EMS.
Ready to plan your next remount?
