OSHKOSH, Wis., Feb 26, 2010 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), received the 2009 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY), winning the Grand Award in the “Mega” category for companies with more than 750 employees. Oshkosh was selected as the top company in this annual state-wide competition among Wisconsin-based manufacturers.
Oshkosh Defense was recognized for its operations and business excellence during the past year, and was judged on criteria, including financial growth, environmental solutions, technological advancement, operational excellence, commitment to employees and community support.
“The award acknowledges the progress and growth at Oshkosh Defense, as well the hard work and experience of our employees,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “This award is a tribute to the dedication of our workforce in building the finest military tactical wheeled vehicles to help supply our Armed Forces and help protect the lives of someone’s son, daughter, mother or father.”
For Oshkosh Defense, 2009 was a remarkable year. The Defense division won two major contracts and hired hundreds of new employees. The division first received an award on June 30, 2009 for the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program, resulting in a $4.74 billion contract for 8.079 vehicles to be used in Afghanistan’s harsh rugged terrain. The contract award brought an immediate ramp up in production for this brand-new vehicle. This was an “urgent” needs project for the U.S. Army, and Oshkosh and its employees were able to design, test, build and begin delivering these life-saving vehicles to Afghanistan in less than a year — a truly remarkable accomplishment.
The next significant award came on Aug. 26, 2009 for the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). These two momentous programs are in addition to the existing programs and vehicles that Oshkosh provides for medium tactical wheeled vehicles for the Marine Corps and the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) for the Army.
“Our success is the direct result of attention to detail from our management, the skill and determination of our employees and a company wide commitment to continuous improvement. Each day we come to work with a purpose and leave with a great sense of pride,” said Hove.
Nominees for the Wisconsin MOTY awards must have major manufacturing operations in the state. Winning companies are also recognized for having made Wisconsin a better place to live and work through their operations and business excellence.
MOTY winners were announced at an awards program on Thursday, Feb. 25 at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The MOTY Awards Program is co-sponsored by Michael Best and Friedrich LLP, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
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®, 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.
