Oshkosh opens new Chinese factory

Oshkosh Corporation, which owns JLG has announced the opening of its new manufacturing plant in Tianjin, China. The facility is producing JLG access equipment for China and other Asian markets. The company says that the new factory is another milestone in its commitment to the important Far East markets.

Charles L Szews, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief operating officer said, "The completion of the Tianjin facility gives Oshkosh Corporation and JLG, our access equipment business and the world leader in aerial access equipment, a strategic advantage to better serve our Asian customers. It allows us to quickly respond to customer requirements in this very important market."

Construction on the Tianjin plant was completed in the spring of 2010. Since then, JLG has gradually introduced additional product models into the plant for local fabrication and assembly. The facility is said to be equipped with the latest in manufacturing, subassembly, fabrication and paint technologies.

"With the Tianjin plant, we have brought together the most advanced manufacturing processes to continue our long, proud tradition of building the best access equipment in the world," said Mr Szews. "Producing in the region will allow rapid product delivery to customers, and complement our other manufacturing locations."

Oshkosh first entered the Chinese market in 1982, when it began supplying ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) vehicles. In 2002, a JLG sales office was opened in Hong Kong, followed in 2006 with an Oshkosh corporate office in Beijing. In 2008, Oshkosh opened an additional corporate office in Shanghai, primarily dedicated to sourcing parts and components for the manufacturing of Oshkosh and JLG products. Tianjin is a municipality located in northeast China, two hours from Beijing.

JLG machines are in use in Chinese shipyards, construction, building maintenance, and aviation and aerospace sectors. Other Oshkosh products are in use throughout China, including ARFF and snow removal vehicles, fire trucks, tow trucks, mobile communications vehicles and access equipment.

In addition to China, Oshkosh has manufacturing operations in nine countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, Netherlands, Romania and the United States.