Pierce invests in Appleton capacity
Pierce Manufacturing has announced a new round of facility upgrades at its manufacturing operations in Appleton, Wisconsin, with work described as part of a modernisation initiative launched in 2022.
The company said the changes are intended to expand production capacity and support faster delivery of fire apparatus to fire departments.
Pierce Manufacturing said the Appleton work sits within more than $150 million it is investing across manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Florida and Tennessee.
The manufacturer said around $60 million has already been invested.
Pierce Manufacturing said its recent investments have included expanding manufacturing space by 28% and adding 500,000 square feet of facility space.
The company added that it has hired 800 new American workers over the past several years.
Lead times and production targets
Mike Pack, Executive Vice President and President, Vocational at Oshkosh Corporation, said: “These technologies reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and safety, as well as our commitment to delivering fire apparatus to firehouses faster while maintaining the same exceptional level of quality that defines our products.
“We have already reduced lead times by over three months from their peak.
“With these sustained investments, we are continuing to work to return to pre-pandemic lead times.
“The investments across our operations reflect a unified focus on quality, efficiency, innovation and reducing lead times for critical fire apparatus for communities throughout the United States.
“Every new machine, expansion, and workflow improvement enables us to deliver fire apparatus faster and with the exceptional craftsmanship customers expect from Pierce.”
New fabrication and welding technologies
Pierce Manufacturing said new automation and precision technologies are being introduced across fabrication and assembly processes at its Appleton campus.
The company said each investment is intended to increase production flow, reduce manual touchpoints and improve safety for team members.
Pierce Manufacturing said the newest additions include a Penta 30K laser capable of cutting up to two inches of steel with beveled edges, alongside an automated panel bender designed to complete multiple bends faster than traditional presses.
The manufacturer added that a semi-automated folding machine is intended to allow a single operator to complete complex bends, and that automated rail welding systems are expected to reduce welding time by up to two-thirds.
Pierce Manufacturing said hand-held laser welding technology is also being added, with the company describing it as delivering precise results with minimal material warpage.
Surface preparation and paint expansion
Pierce Manufacturing said buffing robots and an AI-enabled sanding system are being used to prepare metal panels for paint with greater consistency.
The company said a 26,000 square foot paint facility expansion in Appleton is nearing completion.
Pierce Manufacturing said the expansion includes new paint booths and curing ovens, which it said will boost capacity.
Workflow and parts handling changes
Pierce Manufacturing said it has relocated its manufacturing release line to improve production flow and quality control.
The company said it has also modernised its parts facility to centralise warehousing.
Pierce Manufacturing said the cab and chassis lines have been relocated and reformatted within a larger 224,000 square foot space, and that this has freed manufacturing capacity.
What this means for fire apparatus procurement
For procurement teams and fleet managers, the company’s reported reduction of lead times by more than three months from peak levels is a concrete indicator of recent manufacturing throughput changes.
For Fire Chiefs and senior officers planning replacement cycles, the stated aim of returning to pre-pandemic lead times may affect how departments sequence apparatus specifications and delivery windows.
For engineers and equipment specifiers, the described additions, including the Penta 30K laser, automated panel bending, rail welding systems and laser welding, point to changes in how parts are fabricated and assembled within the Appleton operation.
For workshop and maintenance planning, the nearing completion of a 26,000 square foot paint facility expansion and the relocation of production lines and warehousing centralisation indicate updates to finishing capacity and internal workflow.