Pierce Receives Contract to Refurbish Fire Trucks for the U.S. Army

    OSHKOSH, Wis.--March 16, 2001--Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NASDAQ:OTRKB] announced today that its subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., will refurbish 23 M2500L fire trucks for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command. This is Pierce's largest refurbishment contract for the U.S. military to date, and it is valued at $2.4 million.
    Lear Siegler, a focused sustainment government contracts service, will serve as the prime contractor on the project.
    Under the contract, Pierce's refurbishment center in Weyauwega, Wis., will replace the entire electrical system and fire pump assembly on the vehicles. Pierce will also install a patented hydraulic ladder rack and new emergency lighting to bring the apparatus into compliance with current National Fire Protection Association standards.
    "The U.S. government's efforts to make the most of its current vehicles are supported very well by Pierce's extensive refurbishment experience and Oshkosh's knowledge of defense vehicles. We have the know-how to replace certain critical components and update technology to provide years of additional service at a fraction of the cost of buying new," said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
    All of the vehicles will be refurbished by March 2002 and then deployed at U.S. Army Reserve installations across the United States.