“These technologies reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and safety, as well as our commitment to delivering fire apparatus to firehouses faster while maintaining the same exceptional level of quality that defines our products,” says Mike Pack, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corp. “We have already reduced lead times by over three months from their peak. With these sustained investments, we are continuing to work to return to pr-pandemic lead times."

According to Pack, new automation equipment is reshaping fabrication and assembly processes. “Each investment is designed to enhance quality, increase production flow, reduce manual touchpoints and improve safety for team members,” he points out.

New investments at the company’s flagship plant in Appleton include:

• A Penta 30K laser, one of only two in the United States, capable of cutting up to 2 inches of steel with beveled edges that eliminates manual sanding, and an automated panel bender that performs multiple bends in a fraction of the time required by traditional presses.
• A semiautomated folding machine that allows a single operator to perform complex bends safely and efficiently, automated rail welding systems that reduce welding time by up to two-thirds, and hand-held laser welding technology that delivers precise results with minimal material warpage.
• Buffing robots and an AI-enabled sanding system, which prepares metal panels for paint with improved consistency and efficiency.
• A 26,000 square foot expansion of the paint shop that features new paint booths and curing ovens that boost capacity.
• Relocation of the manufacturing release line to improve production flow and quality control.

“These expansions enabled the cab and chassis lines to be relocated and reformatted within a larger 224,000 square foot space, freeing critical manufacturing capacity and further enhancing efficiency and quality,” explains Pack.

“The investments across our operations reflect a unified focus on quality, efficiency, innovation and reducing lead times for critical fire apparatus for communities throughout the United States,” adds Pack. “Every new machine, expansion, and workflow improvement enables us to deliver fire apparatus faster and with the exceptional craftsmanship customers expect from Pierce.”