OSHKOSH, Wis. – Aug. 21, 2009 – As a manufacturer and supplier of Department of Defense (DoD) tactical wheeled vehicles for more than four decades, Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), brings a successful and celebrated history of collaboration with the U.S. Army to its bid for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) competitive rebuy.
From the vehicle design stage to in-theater support, Oshkosh Defense has proven its ability to deliver and support the Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV). During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Oshkosh Defense received a certificate of appreciation from the Army’s 7th Transportation Group for FHTV armor installation that was “instrumental” in protecting soldiers and their equipment, and for providing technical assistance and warranty support. The company received similar recognition from the Army’s 336th Transportation Group for support that had a “profound survivability effect” on the group’s operation.
“Oshkosh Defense is renowned as being a premier supplier of tactical and armored wheeled vehicles for the U.S. Army,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “We are committed to being responsive to our customer’s needs and building on successful relationships to ensure we provide the best vehicles, support and value for the U.S. Armed Forces, including the FMTV program.”
Oshkosh was the first and only truck manufacturer to be honored with the Department of Defense’s David Packard Acquisition Excellence Award for its work on the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) program as a part of a team effort with the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command and the U.S. Marine Corps. Oshkosh also received recognition from the Army’s product manager for Heavy Tactical Vehicles and the 2nd Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment for its aftermarket support during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The company also received the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) 2005 Innovative Business Performer of the Year for its ability to embrace innovation and adapt to the agency’s ever-increasing demands to support the customer.
Another area of recognition is the National Freedom Award, given to the company by the DoD in 2008 for its outstanding Employer’s Support of the Guard and Reserve. A number of Oshkosh employees, from factory workers to office employees, are either current or former members of the National Guard or Reserve forces, including members who have been deployed in support of the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as homeland relief missions such as Hurricane Katrina. This national award recognized Oshkosh for its critical support of these employees before, during and after their important duties and sacrifices for our nation.
These are just some examples of the celebrated and successful relationship Oshkosh has built with the U.S. military, and they are the result of the company’s dedication to customer satisfaction. In addition to delivering more than 30,000 high-performance FHTV vehicles to the Army, Oshkosh worked with the military to erect nearly 300,000 square feet of facility space in Iraq and Afghanistan to up-armor the Army’s vehicles, including the FMTV. Oshkosh continues to use its Kuwait facility to refurbish heavily worn or battle-damaged vehicles, resulting in shorter vehicle downtime and reduced costs for the Army.
The FMTV program is a five-year, multibillion-dollar contract award for the production of an estimated 23,000 vehicles and trailers for the Army. Oshkosh Defense is the only current manufacturer of medium and heavy tactical wheeled vehicles in the U.S. defense industry, having produced more than 67,000 military class vehicles in its manufacturing facilities. The company’s use of an advanced integrated assembly line has allowed for the simultaneous production of up to 10 vehicle models with 29 variations.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit oshkoshdefense.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™, 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, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.