Oshkosh to cut 900 workers in defense unit

Oshkosh Corp. plans to reduce its defense division workforce by about 900 people this summer as military vehicle orders are expected decline significantly, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

“These were difficult, but necessary decisions,” John Urias, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of Defense, said in a news release. “When other business segments of Oshkosh and many companies in the U.S. were enduring layoffs, pay cuts and furloughs during the Great Recession, Oshkosh Defense was hiring employees and retaining jobs which ended up helping many people manage through that difficult period. However, circumstances have now changed.”

The Rochester Post Bulletin says the Wisconsin-based specialty truck maker employs more than 800 workers at its McNeilus Division in Dodge Center, which makes concrete mixers and refuse trucks.

It's unclear if the southeast Minnesota operation will be affected by the layoffs.