Pierce vehicles put through rigorous testing by fire department prior to purchase.

  November 25, 2008Appleton, Wis. – Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, received a new major order from the city of Phoenix Fire Department, in Phoenix, Ariz., for nine Pierce^® Quantum^® pumpers, with delivery scheduled for spring 2009. The Phoenix Fire Department is a new customer for Pierce Manufacturing.

The Phoenix Fire Department finalized the contract after conducting an extensive apparatus review. As part of this evaluation, the department compared a Pierce pumper and aerial unit to its existing fleet in on-track performance testing exercises.

“We put a Pierce custom pumper and aerial platform through a rigorous evaluation to size-up ride quality, handling, braking and overall performance,” said John Simmons, acting division chief for fleet management, Phoenix Fire Department. “We were especially impressed with Pierce’s TAK-4® independent front suspension and its ability to deliver a smooth ride, as well as excellent vehicle control. These were important factors in our committee’s decision to go with Pierce on the Quantum chassis.” 

The nine Quantum pumpers were customized to meet the unique needs of the Phoenix Fire Department. Each fire truck features a 450 hp engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, 340 amp alternator, 22-inch front bumper extension, 1500 gpm pump, 500-gal. poly water tank, Husky® 12 foam system, 40-gal. foam cell, Command Zone™ advanced electronics and a 15,000 BTU air conditioning system.

“What also sold us on the Quantum chassis was its commanding ride height, low engine cover, spacious interior, quiet ride and air-actuated steps,” added Simmons. “In addition, we spoke to several fellow departments who have experience with Pierce apparatus. Each and every one had nothing but positive comments.”

“This order demonstrates strong confidence in Pierce fire apparatus and the stability of our company and products by one of North America’s largest and highest profile fire departments for them to make such a significant change,” said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “The order is also a testament to the reputation of our dealer – First In, Inc. – for providing tremendous service and support.”

 The Phoenix Fire Department serves the fifth-largest city in the nation – encompassing more than 515 square miles and 1.47 million people. It is also one of the country’s busiest fire departments, with 53 fire stations and nine battalions.  It has 58 engine companies, 14 ladder companies and 33 rescue companies (ambulances).

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, 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 frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus.

To learn more about Pierce visit www.piercemfg.com

About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh^®, JLG^®, Pierce^®, McNeilus^®, Medtec^®, Jerr-Dan^®, BAI^®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline^™, SMIT^™, Geesink^™, Norba^™, Kiggen^™, CON-E-CO^®, London^® and IMT^®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount.

For more information about Oshkosh Corporation visit www.oshkoshcorporation.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 “may,” “should,” "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 which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the consequences of the Company's financial leverage position, especially given recent turmoil in the credit markets, and the level of associated borrowing costs; the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants in its credit agreement; the cyclical nature of the Company's access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during a global economic downturn and credit crisis; the Company’s ability to offset higher steel and raw material costs through other cost decreases or product selling price increases; risks related to reductions in government expenditures and the uncertainty of government contracts; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations; and the Company's ability to turn around 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.

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