The low-investment-grade rating on Oshkosh Truck Corp. reflects the Oshkosh, Wis.-based company's leading business positions in niche segments of specialty truck markets, a moderate financial policy, and somewhat aggressive business objectives. The company is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of specialty commercial, fire and emergency apparatus, and military trucks. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, severe-duty plow and snow removal vehicles, concrete mixers, refuse truck bodies, tow trucks, heavy-duty rescue vehicles, and severe-duty tactical trucks. Typically, Oshkosh's products are premium-priced in their respective markets, yet because of their good quality and technological capabilities, the vehicles tend to have the lowest life cycle costs, providing a significant competitive advantage to the firm. The financial risk assessment
