$1 billion contract to trickle down

OSHKOSH - Employees at Oshkosh Corporation didn't get too much time to let their new $1.05 billion contract sink in.

"We had a few minutes to celebrate last night and everyone was in early this morning getting started on the program," said Oshkosh Defense president Andy Hove.

The new vehicle, known as the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle , will help troops navigate through tough terrain in Afghanistan. The contract is for about 2,200 vehicles, and it could end up being more according to Hove. And more vehicles would mean more jobs.

"We haven't decided exactly how many people we need to bring back but I think there'll be some additional jobs as a result of this program," said Hove.

Also excited for the new contract, the many companies Oshkosh Corp. utilizes to supply parts for its vehicles, like A to Z Machine in Appleton. Co-owner Dave Reiter says making parts for Oshkosh Corp. accounts for about half his business.

"We're hopeful to get some of the work," said Reiter. "We've quoted a lot of it, we're continuing to quote more and working with Truck to help them with the production needs they have."

Performance Sheet Metal in Little Chute is equally as optimistic about making more parts for Oshkosh.

"We could sure use it," said Kurt Wollenberg, the owner of Performance Sheet Metal. "Everyone's kind of fighting for the same business that's out there right now. And this may be a heck of a surge to take the pressure off all of us in the manufacturing industry."

Both companies say they've had to lay off a few people in the last six months and are eager to hire them back, and hopefully increase their workforce.

"I'd love it. I'd love it," said Wollenberg.

"Everybody's pretty excited about it," said Reiter.

Oshkosh Corp. says the production time will be quick. The government wants the vehicles by early next year.

Investors liked the news. The value of a share of Oshkosh stock jumped nearly 27 percent Wednesday to $18.43, its highest point in almost a year. It was less than $5 a share just four months ago.