An ambulance manufacturing company is relocating to Bradenton, a move that could mean up to 150 new jobs for the area.

The Manatee Economic Development Council announced Thursday that Oshkosh Corp. is moving its Medtec Ambulances manufacturing operations from Goshen, Ind., and White Pigeon, Mich., to Bradenton, where they will consolidate with Oshkosh's Pierce Manufacturing.

The move will add approximately 100 to 150 highly skilled manafuacturing and office employee positions in 2011, the EDC said, and the company will install a state-of-the-art, flexible assembly line that will allow multiple vehicle types to be assembled at the facility.

“We are excited and encouraged that a Fortune 350 company has selected Manatee
County for this expansion," said Eric Basinger, executive director of the Manatee
EDC, in a news release. “The new moving assembly line will increase our footprint in the high impact transportation products sector.”

Oshkosh is also relocating its Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles business to Clearwater, where it will merge with Frontline Communications, which will add another 50 or so jobs. The relocations will qualify Oshkosh for up to $1.44 million in economic development incentives, Thursday's release said, including a $333,732 contribution from the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.

“We are excited about the skilled jobs and new manufacturing technology that Oshkosh is bringing to Manatee County, and we appreciate the efforts of the Manatee Economic Development Council and the State of Florida in helping to facilitate job creation in our community,” said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator.

Oshkosh Corp.'s existing fire and emergency operations in Florida currently employ
approximately 450.

“We want to thank Florida’s local and state government officials for their assistance,“ said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corp. executive vice president and president of Fire & Emergency, in the release. “We plan to invest $5 million in capital improvements to expand our Florida facilities. Relocation decisions are always difficult, but this will improve operational efficiencies, optimize manufacturing capacity, and allow us to be successful in today’s highly competitive markets.”

Pierce Florida will manufacture Medtec products at the Bradenton location while still producing its own portfolio of emergency vehicle products. Medtec will continue to operate as a separate brand, with Medtec manufacturing operations combining with Pierce Florida in Bradenton.