Oshkosh Corporation has broken ground for a new manufacturing facility in Tianjin to produce JLG access equipment specifically for the Asian market.

Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer, stated that the groundbreaking was confirmation of the company's investment in the future, and a significant opportunity for its customers. He added that this facility will be the first ever China-based manufacturing facility for Oshkosh Corporation.

Bohn went on to say that the locally-produced product will give Oshkosh a distinct strategic advantage in a very aggressive, competitive Asian landscape. JLG products made at the Tianjin facility will be targeted for the China and Asian markets and be a complement to other JLG manufacturing facilities which build product for the rest of the world.

As part of its ongoing social outreach program in China, Oshkosh Corporation also donated two JLG telehandlers to help local officials in the rebuilding in earthquake stricken Wenchuan County.

Oshkosh has been offering product and service support to China since 1982, when the company started supplying aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles. JLG opened a China sales office in 2002.

A variety of Oshkosh Corporation products are in use through much of China. Nearly 100 Oshkosh ARRF vehicles are in service at some of China’s busiest airports; tow trucks, mobile communications vehicles and aerial platforms and access equipment are in service in many areas of China. The massive COSCO shipyard, located in Dalian, uses JLG access equipment products.