OshKosh
An American manufacturer of specialty trucks, defense vehicles, access equipment, fire apparatus, and commercial vehicle bodies.
Last updated November 1, 2026
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Overview
Oshkosh Corporation is an American industrial manufacturer headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The company designs, manufactures, and services specialty vehicles, vehicle bodies, lifting equipment, and related systems for government, emergency-services, construction, infrastructure, aviation, waste-management, and other commercial customers. Its principal operating groups are Access, Defense, Fire and Emergency, and Commercial. The business began in 1917 as the Wisconsin Duplex Auto Company. Its original purpose was to develop a severe-duty, four-wheel-drive truck suited to difficult terrain and heavy work. The first prototype, later known as Old Betsy, remains associated with the company and is used for demonstrations. The company’s early production included the two-ton Model A, followed by heavier models. This focus on rugged, purpose-built vehicles established the engineering orientation that continues to define Oshkosh. Over time, Oshkosh expanded beyond basic truck manufacturing into specialized applications. Its Model TR, introduced in 1933, was an early rubber-tired earthmover. In 1955, the company introduced the Model 50-50, designed specifically for concrete hauling. It also developed aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, snow-removal equipment for military airfields, aircraft tow tractors, and other airport-support vehicles. In 1968, Oshkosh produced the U-30 tow tractor for the United States Air Force’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy operations. Defense became one of the company’s most significant businesses after Oshkosh won a 1976 United States Army contract for M911 heavy equipment transporters. Subsequent programs included the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, Logistics Vehicle System Replacement, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Palletized Load System, and other military platforms. In 2015, Oshkosh Defense won the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle competition, establishing the company as the planned supplier of a major successor to the United States military’s aging Humvee fleet. The company has built a diversified portfolio through acquisitions and internal development. Pierce Manufacturing strengthened its fire-apparatus business, JLG Industries added aerial work platforms and telehandlers, and McNeilus, Jerr-Dan, Iowa Mold Tooling, London Machinery, Pratt Miller, and other businesses expanded Oshkosh’s commercial, engineering, recovery, concrete, refuse, and specialty-vehicle capabilities. Its brands and businesses also include Oshkosh AeroTech, Oshkosh Airport Products, Frontline Communications, Hinowa, Maxi Métal, and AUSA. Oshkosh serves customers through manufacturing and operating locations in the United States and several other countries, as well as a global service network. Its products range from fire pumpers, aerial platforms, tankers, ambulances, refuse trucks, concrete mixers, towing and recovery vehicles, and field-service bodies to military tactical trucks, aircraft rescue vehicles, aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, airport ground-support equipment, and postal delivery vehicles. In 2021, Oshkosh Defense was selected by the United States Postal Service for the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program. The planned fleet includes low-emission internal-combustion vehicles and battery-electric vehicles. This award broadened Oshkosh’s public profile beyond defense and emergency equipment while reinforcing its role as a supplier of highly specialized, fleet-scale vehicles. The company remains an active, publicly traded manufacturer whose competitive identity is based on severe-duty engineering, government and institutional contracts, specialized vehicle architectures, and a broad portfolio of operating brands.
History
Oshkosh Corporation traces its origins to 1917, when the Wisconsin Duplex Auto Company was established to develop a rugged four-wheel-drive truck. The first prototype became known as Old Betsy. The company subsequently produced the two-ton Model A and heavier Model B and Model F trucks, building an early reputation for vehicles designed for demanding terrain and high loads. The business diversified during the interwar and postwar periods. The Model TR, introduced in 1933, was an early rubber-tired earthmover. In 1955, Oshkosh introduced the Model 50-50, a truck designed specifically for concrete hauling. The company also entered aviation-support and emergency-response markets, producing aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus, military airfield snow-removal equipment, and aircraft tow tractors. In 1968, it designed and built the U-30 tow tractor used by the United States Air Force to move Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft. A major defense turning point came in 1976, when Oshkosh won a United States Army contract for 744 M911 heavy equipment transporters. That award began a long series of military vehicle programs. Oshkosh later became associated with the HEMTT family of heavy tactical trucks, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement, and the Palletized Load System. These programs established the company as a major supplier of heavy and medium tactical vehicles to the United States Army, Marine Corps, and other customers. The modern corporation expanded through acquisitions. Pierce Manufacturing was acquired in 1996, strengthening the fire-apparatus business. McNeilus joined in 1998, adding refuse and concrete equipment. Jerr-Dan, London Machinery, Iowa Mold Tooling, and other acquisitions broadened towing, recovery, concrete, field-service, and mounted-crane capabilities. The 2006 acquisition of JLG Industries added a large access-equipment business centered on aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers. Oshkosh later added Pratt Miller, MAXIMETAL, Hinowa, JBT AeroTech, and AUSA-related capabilities or businesses, extending its engineering, emergency-vehicle, aviation, access, and specialty-equipment portfolio. In 2015, Oshkosh Defense won the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle competition. The L-ATV-based vehicle was selected to replace part of the military’s aging Humvee fleet, making the program one of the company’s most consequential defense awards. Oshkosh also continued production of FMTV vehicles and other military platforms, including tank transporters, heavy tactical trucks, Marine Corps vehicles, mine-resistant vehicles, and aircraft rescue vehicles. The company’s commercial and emergency businesses remained important alongside defense. Through Pierce and related brands, Oshkosh supplies pumpers, aerial fire apparatus, tankers, wildland vehicles, ambulances, and public-safety products. Through McNeilus, London, IMT, Jerr-Dan, Frontline, and Oshkosh AeroTech, it serves refuse collection, concrete production, towing, communications, field service, airport, and aviation-support markets. In 2017 and 2018, Oshkosh announced plans for a new headquarters in its Wisconsin home city and won the FMTV A2 contract. In 2021, Oshkosh Defense was selected by the United States Postal Service for the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program. The planned fleet includes both low-emission internal-combustion vehicles and battery-electric vehicles, giving the company a significant entry into a large civilian delivery fleet. Oshkosh operates internationally through manufacturing facilities, investments, sales channels, and service networks. The company reports four principal business groups—Access, Defense, Fire and Emergency, and Commercial—and sells products in more than 150 countries. Its historical development shows a consistent pattern: starting with severe-duty trucks, then applying specialized engineering to defense, emergency response, aviation, access equipment, and commercial fleets.
- 2024
AUSA joins the specialty-equipment portfolio
[1]Oshkosh’s acquisition history lists AUSA Center SA among its more recent additions.
- 2021
USPS selects Oshkosh for delivery vehicles
[1]Oshkosh Defense is selected for the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program.
- 2020
Oshkosh receives ethics recognition
[1]Ethisphere includes Oshkosh among its 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
- 2018
FMTV A2 contract is awarded
[1]The United States Army awards Oshkosh Defense the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2 contract.
- 2015
Oshkosh wins the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle competition
[1]Oshkosh Defense is selected for the United States military’s JLTV program, intended to replace part of the Humvee fleet.
- 2006
JLG Industries is acquired
[1]The transaction adds aerial work platforms, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers to the portfolio.
- 1996
Pierce Manufacturing is acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthens Oshkosh’s fire and emergency apparatus business.
- 1976
First major United States Army transporter award
[1]Oshkosh wins a contract for 744 M911 heavy equipment transporters.
- 1968
U-30 aircraft tow tractor is developed
[1]Oshkosh builds 45 U-30 tow tractors for the United States Air Force’s C-5 Galaxy operations.
- 1955
Model 50-50 concrete truck is introduced
[1]The company develops a truck specifically for hauling concrete.
Products and positioning
A diversified specialty-vehicle and equipment manufacturer positioned around severe-duty engineering, mission-critical applications, government procurement, emergency response, construction access, aviation support, and commercial fleet productivity.
Defense vehicles · 2015
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
The Oshkosh L-ATV forms the basis of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle selected by the United States military in 2015. It is a protected, highly mobile tactical vehicle intended to provide greater survivability and off-road capability than the Humvee in many missions. Oshkosh retained the L-ATV designation for some applications while supplying the broader JLTV program.
Defense vehicles · 2011
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
The FMTV is a family of military trucks in 2.5-ton and 5-ton classes. Oshkosh has produced later versions for the United States military, including the FMTV A1P2 and FMTV A2. Configurations support cargo transport, recovery, fuel, maintenance, and other logistics requirements.
Defense vehicles · 1982
HEMTT
The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck is a family of heavy military trucks used for logistics, recovery, fuel transport, cargo handling, and other demanding missions. The platform has remained in production in evolving configurations since the early 1980s and is associated with Oshkosh Defense’s heavy tactical-vehicle business.
Fire and emergency vehicles
Pierce fire apparatus
Pierce Manufacturing produces fire-service vehicles including pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, tankers, wildland apparatus, and rescue vehicles. Pierce is one of Oshkosh’s principal emergency-vehicle businesses and serves municipal, industrial, airport, and other fire departments.
Access equipment
JLG access equipment
JLG supplies aerial work platforms, telescopic and articulating boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, and low-level access equipment. The business serves construction, maintenance, industrial, infrastructure, and rental customers and is the core of Oshkosh’s Access segment.
Airport rescue and firefighting
Oshkosh Striker
The Striker is an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle designed for airport emergency response. It combines high mobility, water and firefighting-agent capacity, and specialized airport operating equipment for rapid intervention around aircraft incidents.
Postal delivery vehicles · 2021
Next Generation Delivery Vehicle
The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle is a purpose-built postal delivery platform selected by the United States Postal Service. The planned fleet includes low-emission internal-combustion vehicles and battery-electric vehicles, with production intended for a large, multiyear national delivery fleet.
Controversies
2026
Baton Rouge sues fire truck manufacturers over alleged price-fixing conspiracy
The City of Baton Rouge filed a lawsuit on Aug. 10 in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish against Ferrara Fire Apparatus, REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation, Pierce Manufacturing, Rosenbauer America and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, alleging the defendants conspired to fix prices and restrict supply of fire apparatus sold to Louisiana municipalities through the trade group.
2021
Workhorse sues USPS over mail-truck contract
In 2021, Workhorse sued the U.S. Postal Service over the terms of its mail-truck contract award, questioning whether its electric vehicles were seriously considered. The lawsuit sought a preliminary injunction halting the Oshkosh procurement process pending review. The dispute centered on the contract award to OshKosh and on Workhorse's contention that its electric vehicles had not been given serious consideration. The requested injunction would have paused the Oshkosh procurement process until the matter received review.
2021
Oshkosh sues SANY America over alleged trade secrets
Oshkosh Corp. sued SANY America and a former JLG employee, alleging that the former employee brought confidential information and trade secrets concerning a new generation of JLG products.
2021
Pushback over Oshkosh’s USPS vehicle contract
Lawmakers and Workhorse Group pushed back after Oshkosh Corp. won the USPS next-generation delivery vehicle contract. A resolution sponsored by Rep. Marcy Kaptur sought to delay the contract pending an investigation into whether it aligned with the president’s climate-change executive order and whether inappropriate political influence affected the award.
Brand decisions
2022
Expand tracked access equipment through HinowaM&ABackground
Oshkosh sought to broaden its Access segment with compact tracked access and material-handling products.
Action taken
The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Hinowa, a privately held manufacturer of tracked aerial platforms, mini dumpers, lift trucks, and undercarriages.
Aftermath
Hinowa was intended to become part of Oshkosh’s Access Equipment segment, complementing JLG’s existing product range.
2021
Develop the USPS Next Generation Delivery VehicleProduct launchBackground
The United States Postal Service sought a new delivery vehicle platform to replace older postal vehicles and support changing emissions requirements.
Action taken
Oshkosh Defense was selected to produce a planned fleet including internal-combustion and battery-electric variants.
Aftermath
The award expanded Oshkosh’s role into a major civilian fleet program and added a large postal-vehicle opportunity to its defense and specialty-vehicle portfolio.
Program scale. 50,000 to 165,000 vehicles over ten years; reported potential value above $6 billion (2021 award)
2015
Enter the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle production programOtherBackground
The United States military sought a successor or complement to the aging Humvee fleet, with requirements emphasizing protection, mobility, and tactical utility.
Action taken
The Department of Defense selected Oshkosh Defense’s L-ATV design for the JLTV program.
Aftermath
The award made JLTV one of Oshkosh’s most important defense programs and established a long-term military vehicle production opportunity.
Initial contract value. Approximately $6.75 billion for up to 16,901 vehicles (2015 award)
Recent events
Reported
Oshkosh updates FY2026 financial outlook[7]
Oshkosh Corp. updated its FY2026 outlook, citing lower fire apparatus and NGDV production, partly offset by higher Access segment sales volume. It lowered its expected earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share ranges, and reduced its net sales forecast to approximately $11.0 billion.
Reported
Baton Rouge sues fire truck manufacturers over alleged price-fixing conspiracy[8]
The City of Baton Rouge filed a lawsuit on Aug. 10 in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish against Ferrara Fire Apparatus, REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation, Pierce Manufacturing, Rosenbauer America and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, alleging the defendants conspired to fix prices and restrict supply of fire apparatus sold to Louisiana municipalities through the trade group.
Reported
Oshkosh partners on autonomous vehicle project[9]
Oshkosh is partnering with the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center and an industry team that includes Oshkosh Defense, Robotic Research, and DCS Corporation on the Expedient Leader-Follower project.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Oshkosh sues SANY America over alleged trade secrets[5]
Oshkosh Corp. sued SANY America and a former JLG employee, alleging that the former employee brought confidential information and trade secrets concerning a new generation of JLG products.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Workhorse sues USPS over mail-truck contract[4]
Workhorse sued the U.S. Postal Service over the terms of its mail-truck contract award, questioning whether its electric vehicles were seriously considered. The lawsuit sought a preliminary injunction halting the Oshkosh procurement process pending review.
Reported
Workhorse challenges USPS vehicle contract[10]
Workhorse Group filed a protest with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims challenging the contract awarded to Oshkosh Corp. for the Postal Service’s next-generation delivery vehicles.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Pushback over Oshkosh’s USPS vehicle contract[6]
Lawmakers and Workhorse Group pushed back after Oshkosh Corp. won the USPS next-generation delivery vehicle contract. A resolution sponsored by Rep. Marcy Kaptur sought to delay the contract pending an investigation into whether it aligned with the president’s climate-change executive order and whether inappropriate political influence affected the award.
Reported
Oshkosh to acquire Pratt Miller[11]
Oshkosh announced its acquisition of Pratt Miller for a cash-free, debt-free purchase price of $115 million. The article also says the transaction was expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2021.
Reported
Oshkosh plans production consolidation affecting McNeilus jobs[12]
Oshkosh planned to consolidate concrete mixer production at its London, Ontario plant. A report said McNeilus's Dodge Center operation could lose up to 235 jobs; the change was expected to occur over the next few months.
Reported
Oshkosh plans to consolidate concrete mixer production[13]
Oshkosh planned to consolidate concrete mixer production at its London, Ontario plant. The change was expected to occur over the next few months and was reported to put up to 235 jobs at McNeilus's Dodge Center site at risk.
Sources14 sources
- 1Oshkosh Corporationen.wikipedia.org
- 2Oshkosh Corporation official websiteoshkoshcorp.com
- 3Baton Rouge sues fire truck manufacturers over alleged price-fixing conspiracywafb.com
- 4Workhorse sues USPS over mail-truck contractcaranddriver.com
- 5Oshkosh sues SANY America over alleged trade secretsconstructionequipment.com
- 6Pushback over Oshkosh’s USPS vehicle contractthenorthwestern.com
- 7Oshkosh更新2026财年财务展望rttnews.com
- 8巴吞鲁日就涉嫌价格垄断起诉消防车制造商wbrz.com
- 9Oshkosh参与自动驾驶车辆项目合作constructionequipment.com
- 10Workhorse对美国邮政车队合同提出异议thenorthwestern.com
- 11Oshkosh宣布收购Pratt Millerdbusiness.com
- 12Oshkosh计划整合生产，影响McNeilus岗位kdhlradio.com
- 13Oshkosh 计划整并混凝土搅拌车生产krforadio.com
- 14Oshkosh宣布包括休假和临时关闭工厂在内的成本削减计划wbay.com
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