skip to main content

Blog


Three red fire trucks on the blue floor in a Pierce manufacturing building with one garage door open to the outside.

At Pierce Manufacturing, we're not just building apparatus; we're investing in our future.

Our recent facility upgrades and renovations are focused on enhancing every interaction customers and team members have with our spaces. From revitalizing the Graphics Department area to expanding advanced manufacturing and improving safety, each step is taken to improve quality and experiences for customers and employees alike.

Read on to discover more about the specific enhancements we're making.

Advanced Manufacturing and Innovations

To enhance manufacturing efficiency, we’ve undertaken a strategic factory realignment and expanded our space by nearly 200,000 square feet. The realignment focuses on optimizing operational flow and eliminating waste by strategically placing key processes improving logistics and throughput.

  • We’ve integrated advanced manufacturing techniques like welding, sanding and paint robots to boost quality, efficiency and safety.
  • Further we've invested in AI enabled sanding robots to improve throughput and team member ergonomics. 
  • Investments in cutting-edge equipment, including laser technology and collaborative robots (cobots), have further improved fabrication and welding precision.
  • With an increased focus on precision automation, we can supplement and enhance our team efficiency and output.
  • Using innovative technology focused on sustainability and energy efficiency allows us to be good stewards of company resources and the company’s ecological footprint.

These manufacturing advancements supplement our workforce and ensure we can deliver superior products while optimizing delivery timelines with less product waste, supporting our sustainability initiatives.

Quality Enhancements

We continue to invest in innovations to help us enhance both customer experience and operational efficiency.

These include expanded conference and inspection spaces, along with upgraded technology to improve communication and streamline complex assembly processes. Our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) streamlines requirements and provide workers with clear, point-of-use instructions, optimizing assembly and safety protocols.

By leveraging these advancements, we ensure our teams and customers stay connected, aligning our processes to consistently exceed expectations and deliver high-quality products and service.

Enhancing the Customer Experience

Pierce Manufacturing is committed to continuously enhancing the customer experience, as evidenced by the recent upgrades and renovations across our facilities.

Here’s a look at how these changes improve both aesthetics and functionality.

A New Graphics Area and Blue Floor Updates

A red and black Pierce fire truck inside the light tunnel on a white floor.Earlier this year, the future Graphics Department area underwent a significant transformation, as did Blue Floor East, formerly dedicated to graphics and apparatus off-line work.

The spaces received comprehensive upgrades, including:

  • A light tunnel providing consistent, bright lighting for quality paint inspections and detection of paint imperfections before final inspection.
  • Additional inspection bays on the Blue Floor.
  • Improved HVAC systems in renovated conference rooms.
  • A new floor coating for a sleek, modern look.
  • A fresh wall and ceiling paint to brighten the space.
  • The replacement of the lower four feet of wall with masonry block and new insulation.
  • The installation of energy-efficient overhead doors.
  • Lighting improvements in the graphics space with new white floors to enhance brightness and improve graphic application capabilities.

These improvements not only rejuvenate the space but also enhance the comfort for team members and customers, creating a welcoming environment for collaboration and service.

“Our commitment to operational excellence and enhanced customer satisfaction is shaping a better tomorrow at Pierce Manufacturing.”

Expansion of Customer Meeting Spaces

Renovations on Ranjelovec Way to better accommodate customer needs include more customer meeting rooms to facilitate discussions and planning and future plans for an additional set of restrooms.

Comfort and accessibility are key points of emphasis with the renovation projects, catered to best support visiting customers.

New Floor Coating for Checkout

One of the most highly trafficked spaces at Pierce Manufacturing is the checkout area for customers. As part of our renovation to enhance the customer experience, the floor has been refreshed to ensure the space remains safe and inviting for all.

“Facility updates reflect Pierce Manufacturing’s dedication to maintaining a high standard of customer service and operational excellence.”

By investing in facility improvements, Pierce Manufacturing can ensure each visitor and team member experiences an inviting and professional environment.

Enhanced Aftermarket Support

To further enhance customer aftermarket support services, Pierce recently purchased the former Team Services buildings at 2602 American Drive. This location is now the new home of the Aftermarket Support and the Pierce Training Center; both are dedicated to working with our customers post-delivery and training new team members. 

Future projects for the facility include enhancing the space and infrastructure to support new processes, equipment, team member training and customer support offerings.

Enhancing The Workplace for Our Team

Three employees walking on the manufacturing floor with fire trucks on the site and a Canadian flag in the background.Pierce Manufacturing is also dedicated to enhancing the workplace environment for our employees through a series of strategic facility improvements. These enhancements not only comply with the latest building codes but also significantly increase both the comfort and safety of employee workspaces. Here’s a closer look at the recent and planned upgrades.

"By prioritizing the well-being and safety of our employees, we're not only adhering to the highest standards but also fostering a culture where excellence can thrive.”

Upgraded HVAC Systems

Recognizing the critical role of a comfortable work environment, two aging make-up air units on the rooftop have been replaced. The new HVAC units are not only more reliable but also more energy-efficient, ensuring consistent and pleasant temperature control aligning comfort and energy conservation goals.

Pavement Repairs

To further ensure employee and visitor safety, construction teams are actively repairing pavement across all sites. By focusing on eliminating trip hazards in yards and parking lots, we are significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, promoting a safer work environment and improving the flow of material in and around our facilities.

Facility Remodels

We are planning several additional facility upgrades, including bathroom updates, new carpeting and replacing shop lights with high-output LED fixtures to enhance workspaces. These enhancements and increased investments in advanced manufacturing demonstrate our commitment to a supportive, efficient and safe workplace. 

A Focus on Safety for All

A manufacturing floor with a number of fire trucks being worked on and a visible number nine on a gray background.Over the past year, Pierce’s Facilities Department has made significant advancements in enhancing security and safety measures.

Here’s a breakdown of the resources and technology implementation.

Upgraded Security Systems and Lighting

With a focus on improved security and efficiency, surveillance cameras and outdoor lighting systems at several facilities have been replaced with modern solutions. These improvements significantly increase visibility and safety for both employees and visitors, reducing potential hazards and ensuring continuous safety at the facility.

“By integrating advanced security measures and physical safeguards, we are setting new standards for safety and efficiency facility-wide.”

From enhancements at customer-focused facilities to renovated employee spaces, Pierce’s investment in infrastructure and facilities are intended to foster secure and welcoming environments for all.

Which enhanced spaces are you looking forward to exploring? Let us know in the comments!

View All Blog Posts

Subscribe & Keep Up To Date

Yes, I want to become a Pierce guru!



About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

# # #