Pierce Manufacturing has announced a major new phase of investment at its Bradenton, Florida facility, part of a wider programme worth approximately $150m aimed at expanding production of fire apparatus across its U.S. operations. The company is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of custom fire engines, aerial platforms and rescue vehicles for municipal and industrial fire departments.
The Oshkosh Corporation business said around $70m has already been invested and that the growth drive has created 800 new U.S. jobs, with recruitment continuing. The initiatives are intended to boost capacity, improve operational efficiency and accelerate delivery times for fire departments.
Central to the Bradenton project is the addition of a 185,000 sq ft building close to the existing campus. The space forms part of more than 500,000 sq ft of new facilities planned nationally and will be used for material storage, kitting, training and improved production flow. The company expects the site to be operational by mid-2026.
Pierce Manufacturing is also expanding paint operations in Florida, adding new booth space and material-handling systems to increase throughput and ensure consistent finish quality. Further infrastructure upgrades, including additional parking, improved traffic circulation and enhanced security, are under way to support the growing workforce.
“Our growing team in Bradenton plays a critical role in delivering the quality and craftsmanship our customers expect,” said Marty Bass, President of Pierce Manufacturing. He added that the investment would strengthen operations and position the business to meet demand “well into the future”.
The expansion follows recent upgrades at Pierce’s Appleton, Wisconsin campus and reflects sustained demand for specialist emergency vehicles across North America.
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