skip to main content

Press Releases

Pierce-Mfg-Delivers-the-2000th-Pierce-Ultimate-Configuration-Pumper.jpg

Pierce Manufacturing announced delivery of the 2,000th Pierce® Ultimate Configuration (PUC) pumper to the Appleton Fire Department. The vehicle features a Velocity® custom chassis and 1500 GPM PUC Pump, and most notably represents the monumental shift in apparatus configuration and improved service capabilities introduced by Pierce in 2007.

APPLETON, Wis. (February 12, 2018) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK), announced the delivery of the 2,000th Pierce® Ultimate Configuration (PUC) pumper. Remarkably, the PUC will be put into service in the same community where Pierce Manufacturing was established over 100 years ago. The Appleton Fire Department’s new vehicle features a Velocity® custom chassis equipped with a Cummins L9 engine, TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension, a 750-gallon water tank, Husky 12 Foam System and 1500 GPM PUC Pump. Additionally, a single-source agreement with Pierce Manufacturing was approved by the city of Appleton, WI to secure a total of five new vehicles to be put into service with the Appleton Fire Department over the next four years.

Reaching the 2,000th PUC is a significant milestone for Pierce Manufacturing and represents the tremendous impact this apparatus has made on fire service capabilities across the country. Introduced in 2007, the PUC is an innovative solution to the many challenges shared by fire department leadership in regard to simplifying firefighters’ actions and reducing unnecessary risk.

“One of our most critical roles in the manufacturing of fire apparatus is to establish strong relationships with the men and women who perform life-saving fire service work each day,” said John Schultz, Director of Pumper & Custom Chassis Products at Pierce Manufacturing. “The PUC was the outcome of listening and responding to an essential need, and we are proud to have led a dramatic change in the way apparatus can improve a firefighter’s ability to work safely and efficiently.”

By eliminating the pump house and moving the pump forward, the PUC reduces vehicular space used for fire suppression and maximizes space for equipment and access to preconnected hoses, without sacrificing firefighting capabilities. The technology is an ideal solution that allows fire departments the opportunity to design the vehicle around their unique needs, and not around the pump.

“Safety is our number one priority and the new PUC brings the highest level of safety available for our firefighters, enabling them to concentrate on the emergency task at hand,” said Len Vander Wyst, fire chief for the city of Appleton Fire Department. “Thanks to the additional compartment space that is unique to the PUC, needed equipment will be available on the scene immediately, improving service capabilities and resulting in less down time and greater availability of our firefighting team.”

Additional benefits of the PUC include: a reduced wheelbase for increased maneuverability, as much as 500 cubic feet of storage space, which allows for more ergonomic and efficient placement of tools and supplies; and minimized downtime for servicing with easier access to valves, piping and the pump from above the frame rails. The PUC is now available on Pierce Manufacturing pumpers, rescue pumpers, tankers and aerials. 

As the largest manufacturer of custom fire apparatus in the world, Pierce Manufacturing’s continued commitment to innovation is evident in every custom vehicle designed and built to address the crucial needs of men and women who work in fire service. Learn more about Pierce Manufacturing and view a comprehensive review of the Pierce® Ultimate Configuration (PUC) pumpers, tankers and aerials, including complete specs, video and images.

View All Press Releases

Subscribe & Keep Up To Date

Yes, I want to become a Pierce guru!


Topics: News, Innovation, Apparatus Orders


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, mini pumpers, 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

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 17,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh® AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology 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 Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

# # #