Pierce Manufacturing, part of the Fire & Emergency segment of Oshkosh Corporation announced a strategic purchasing agreement with FAW Bus and Coach Co., Ltd. of Changchun, China, a subsidiary of China FAW Group Corporation.
Pierce will manufacture fire truck bodies and crane mounted rescue bodies in the U.S. to be exported to China where they will be mounted on FAW chassis. The agreement was announced in Beijing at the China Fire Show 2013, which runs through May 9.
“This is an important milestone for both companies, and we are proud to work together with FAW to better serve China’s long-term fire protection needs,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “This program will deliver cost competitive fire trucks with superior fire suppression technology to the China market. The trucks will be supported locally through FAW’s extensive truck sales and service network, as well as through Oshkosh’s in-country product training and support team.”
As China continues to accelerate urbanization and experience economic growth, Pierce will follow a dual product line approach. In addition to the jointly produced trucks with FAW, Pierce will also continue to export to China its complete U.S. manufactured custom fire trucks built on Pierce custom chassis.
This will offer Chinese customers a wider selection of vehicle choices to meet and exceed China’s GB 7956 firefighting vehicle standards and China Compulsory Certificate for Fire Fighting Equipment (CCCF) product certification requirements.
Established in the year 1913, and currently celebrating its 100th Anniversary of being “One Century Strong”, Pierce is the fire and emergency vehicle market leader in North America. Oshkosh Fire & Emergency has been engaged in the Chinese market since the 1980s, providing airport rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicles, snow removal equipment, industrial oil & gas fire protection needs, and most recently municipal fire protection apparatus.
“Unwavering customer service and support has been a cornerstone of our success,” added Johnson. “In China, we are committed to the same level of excellence, and we believe our strategic agreement with FAW Bus and Coach Company strengthens this objective.”
For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
