APPLETON-- They're the first on the scene when tragedy strikes.
Help, arriving in the form of a fire truck, sometimes built by Pierce Manufacturing.
Pierce Manufacturing's fire trucks can be found across the nation and around the world.
"When you build something here at Pierce you're building something unique, you're building a life-saving apparatus that's given out into a community," said production supervisor Chad Miller.
Appleton-based Pierce Manufacturing began in 1913 and was acquired by Oshkosh Corporation in 1996,
"We are the predominant manufacturer of firefighting apparatus," shared Vice President if HR, Kim Reese.
Pierce employs 2200 workers who put between 1300 and 1600 hours into each truck they make.
"There's not one truck that's completely exactly the same as the next," said Miller.
Customization- from different colors, to graphics to decals- is what helps set Pierce apart from other manufacturers.
"Every single inch of the vehicle is inspected time and time again to ensure safety of the quality," explained Reese.
Customers are invited back at any time to see how their truck is progressing.
"A lot of people go through and see the customers walk through and they'll ask them 'Is this really how you want this, is this what you're thinking,'" said Miller.
Workers say there's an overwhelming amount of pride that comes along with making a Pierce truck.
"You're not just building a product for anybody, you're building it to protect everybody." shared Miller.
"The pride is really the core of who we are as our people. The people are why we excel today. The passion that people have for the product, 'Made in Wisconsin,' is truly a testimonial to our commitment," said Reese. "It's always very heartwarming to know that we make a difference and our quality stands the test of time."
Pierce Manufacturing with Oshkosh Corporation, celebrates 100 years this year.
