Sen. Dorgan on Oshkosh, ND Oakes plant closure

Dorgan says Oshkosh CEO is reconsidering decision to close oakes plant; Expects decision in a week to 10 days

July 8, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) is asking the head of Oshkosh Trucking to reconsider the closure of the company’s manufacturing plant in Oakes, N.D., in light of a new $1.06 billion federal contract the company has just received from the Pentagon to build heavy armored vehicles for the Army and Marines.

Article continues below...

Dorgan has been speaking with Robert Bohn, the CEO of Oshkosh Trucking, about the new defense contract. It’s one of the largest contracts ever received by Oshkosh. In light of the new contract, Dorgan urged Bohn to take a new look at the manufacturing plant in Oakes to see if there is a way it can play a role in the future of the company as it begins work on this very large defense contract that will likely become a long-term contract.

“The CEO of Oshkosh told me that, in light of the contract, he will take a new look at the manufacturing plant in Oakes and see if there is a way to keep it open,” Dorgan said.

Bohn told Dorgan he is evaluating the potential for keeping the Oakes plant open, and should be able to report back to Dorgan within a week to 10 days.

“Oshkosh is a first-rate company that does very important work for the Department of Defense, and I’m pleased they’ve gotten this large contract,” Dorgan said. “I don’t think this new contract was factored into the previous decision to close the plant. The Oshkosh plant is a critical part of the economy of the Oakes area, and I hope the new contract will allow them to keep it open.”

Source: Senator Byron Dorgan