Oshkosh expands manufacturing operations in China

Oshkosh Corporation broke ground November 18 for a new manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. The new facility will produce JLG access equipment specifically for the Asian market. The announcement is another step in Oshkosh Corporation's strategic business initiatives to meet the demands of a global economy and the growth potential of the China and Asian markets in particular. Oshkosh currently manufactures in 11 countries and has additional service operations in 16 countries.

"Today's groundbreaking is confirmation of our investment in the future, and a significant opportunity for our customers, as well as the company. This facility will be the first ever China-based manufacturing facility for Oshkosh Corporation," said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corporation chairman and chief executive officer. "The facility we are building in Tianjin is a strategic initiative to directly service regional customers with a faster delivery turnaround for our JLG brand of aerial work platforms."

Attendees at the ceremonial groundbreaking included Oshkosh Corporation and JLG executives and local officials: Dr. Chen Zongsheng, deputy secretary general of Tianjin Municipal Government; Feng Zhijiang, president of Tianjin Airport Industrial Park; and Gao Jixi, deputy director general of Tianjin Municipal Commission of Commerce.

"This locally produced product will give Oshkosh a distinct strategic advantage in a very aggressive, competitive Asian landscape. JLG product made at the Tianjin facility will be targeted for the China and Asian markets and be a complement to other JLG manufacturing facilities which build product for the rest of the world," added Bohn.

As part of its on-going social outreach program in China, Oshkosh Corporation also donated two JLG telehandlers to help local officials in the rebuilding in Wenchuan County, which was tragically impacted by the major earthquake that occurred on May 12 in Sichuan Province.

Oshkosh has been offering product and service support to China since 1982, when the company started supplying Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARRF) vehicles. JLG opened a China sales office in 2002. In 2006, Oshkosh's Beijing corporate office opened, and serves as the hub for Asian operations and is responsible for the sale, service, and support of Oshkosh Corporation's products. In March of 2008, Oshkosh opened its Shanghai corporate office largely devoted to the sourcing of parts and components for the manufacturing of Oshkosh and JLG products.

A variety of Oshkosh Corporation products are in use through much of China. Nearly 100 Oshkosh ARRF vehicles are in service at some of China's busiest airports including: Shanghai Pudong Airport, Hangzhou Airport, Quzhou Airport, Ningbo Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. Tow trucks, mobile communications vehicles and aerial platforms and access equipment have been sold and are in service in many areas of China. The massive COSCO shipyard, located in Dalian, China uses JLG access equipment product.