Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE:OSK], received the 2006 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, winning the Grand Award for excellence in the Mega category, representing businesses with 1,000 or more employees.
The company earned the recognition for overall outstanding achievement and exemplary contribution to manufacturing in the state. The award acknowledges the progress and growth at Pierce, as well the hard work and experience of its employees.
“This recognition is shared by each of our employees who take great pride in the work we do. Our heritage is grounded in the pursuit of manufacturing excellence. Continuous operational improvement by our employees remains a firm foundation for our ongoing success,” said John Randjelovic, executive vice president of Oshkosh and president of Pierce. “Building the best vehicles for our fire fighters both across the nation and around the world to help them do their jobs better and safer is the sole objective of, and the driving force behind our quality initiatives, production enhancements and technology development.”
In 2006, Pierce opened an $18 million, 130,000-square-foot production facility expansion. The expansion was spurred by strong growth in the fire, rescue and homeland security apparatus industry. The development provides Pierce with additional capacity to meet this growing demand, help enhance quality, reduce lead times for customers, and streamline manufacturing processes in line with the company’s “lean” manufacturing initiative. It also positions the company for future growth opportunities.
An innovative leader in the fire and emergency vehicle market, Pierce has changed the industry with innovations like the first frontal air bags offered in a custom fire truck chassis, the Side Roll Protection system, TAK-4® independent front suspension, Command Zone™ advanced electronics system, and a long list of others.
The annual competition is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s largest business association; Virchow, Krause & Company LLP, the nation’s 15th largest accounting and consulting firm; and Michael Best and Friedrich LLP, a large Midwest-based law firm.
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.
About Oshkosh Truck Corporation
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire and emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh's products are valued worldwide by rental companies, fire and emergency units, defense forces, municipal and airport support services, and concrete placement and refuse businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshtruckcorporation.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the company believes are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital spending and debt levels, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as "expects," "intends," "estimates," "anticipates," or "believes" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the cyclical nature of the company's markets, the company's ability to successfully integrate the JLG acquisition, the consequences of financial leverage associated with the JLG acquisition, risks related to reductions in government expenditures, the uncertainty of government contracts and the company's ability to turnaround its Geesink Norba Group business. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
