April 10, 2008, Appleton, Wis. —  Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s largest manufacturer of fire and rescue apparatus, showcased its expanded line of PUC – Pierce Ultimate Configuration – offerings including a top mount pumper, a 75-foot aluminum aerial ladder and a Contender® PUC at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference in Indianapolis.

The expanded Pierce® PUC product line includes:

• Top Mount PUC – places the pump operator off the street and in an elevated position for better safety and visibility, while reducing the wheelbase 3 to 4 feet and still maintaining all the PUC features. The top mount PUC also offers increased safety with enclosed access steps, lowered crosslays and ease of use with true pump and roll capabilities.
• 75-foot Aluminum Ladder PUC – features 22 percent more storage space and up to 5 inches shorter wheelbase than traditional 75-foot aluminum ladders. The PUC design lowers crosslays, provides storage for bulky items such as stokes baskets and backboards, and utilizes a simple two-step pump shift operation.
• Custom Contender PUC – allows fire departments to customize their rigs cost-effectively and still obtain all the benefits of the PUC design. The Contender PUC also features a redesigned cab with more interior space for crew and equipment.

“The expanded PUC product line gives firefighters additional options in selecting a truck that meets the specific needs of their department without making compromises,” said Wilson Jones, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “We took a design that revolutionized the industry when it was launched in April 2007, and due to its success and industry demand now have it available in a variety of configurations to meet the needs of our customers, no matter the application.”

The PUC was launched last year following extensive industry research by Pierce to meet the needs of fire departments for apparatus that is easier to use, easier to stay safer, easier to store more, easier to service and maintain, and easier to maneuver. The PUC is an industry-changing, multi-purpose response vehicle that dramatically changes the way fire service configures apparatus by removing the bulky pumphouse without compromising fire fighting capabilities.

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.

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