APPLETON, WIS. (March 19, 2001) — Pierce Manufacturing, the leading U.S manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, announced today that it has been awarded its largest refurbishment contract for the U.S. military. The $2.4 million contract is for refurbishing 23 M2500L fire trucks for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command.

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 its 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 our extensive refurbishment experience," said John Randjelovic, president of Pierce. "As the leading manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, we have the skilled workforce and complete technical know-how necessary to replace critical components and update technology that provide years of additional service at a fraction of the cost of buying new."

All of the vehicles will be refurbished by March 2002 and then deployed at U.S. Army Reserve installations across the United States.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NASDAQ: OTRKB]. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers and elliptical tankers. Pierce apparatus are backed by 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week service, with the strongest support network dedicated exclusively to the fire service.

For more information, contact Summer Newlin, Marketing Programs and Exhibits Manager, at (920) 832-3272