Oshkosh Corp will build E-coat facility

Dec. 1, 2009
Oshkosh Corporation is working with the city of Oshkosh WI on plans to expand the company's manufacturing facilities there with a new 150,000-square-foot

Oshkosh Corporation is working with the city of Oshkosh WI on plans to expand the company's manufacturing facilities there with a new 150,000-square-foot electrocoat (E-coat) painting facility in support of production of the US Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).

The company plans to break ground on the new E-coat facility in December, with startup beginning late summer 2010.

Oshkosh Corp and the city have been in good-faith discussions since April 2009 on assistance from the city through creation of a new tax increment financing (TIF) district. The TIF is pending approval by the Oshkosh Common Council and has the support of the city of Oshkosh and its partners, Chamco Inc, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, the Oshkosh Area Economic Development Corp, and Winnebago County.

The firm was awarded the FMTV five-year requirements contract in August 2009 for production of up to 23,000 vehicles and trailers, as well as support services and training. The first delivery order is for $280.9 million for the production and delivery of 2,568 trucks and trailers. The FMTV is a series of up to 23 variants and 17 different models, ranging from 2.5- to 5-ton payloads. Production for initial test vehicles is planned for mid-2010, followed by full production in 2011.

While the contract is currently on hold pending protests, Oshkosh believes the award should be upheld and is continuing plans to meet the customer's needs.