Double digit sales and income growth in Oshkosh Truck Corp.’s fire, emergency and defense businesses tempered continued weakness in commercial markets during the company’s third fiscal quarter.

The company reported net income for the quarter of $13.7 million, down 10.2% from the same period a year ago. Sales were $404 million, compared to $392 million.
The decline in net income was blamed primarily on a soft concrete placement market. Oshkosh said orders for concrete placement equipment were down 33% for the quarter. However, renewed order strength among large, national waste haulers and municipalities continued to increase refuse sales. Total sales to the commercial segment were $164.8 million, down 25% from a year ago. Operating income was $8.9 million, down 52%.
Fire and emergency segment sales increased 25%, to $128.9 million for the quarter. Operating income rose 50%, to $14.3 million. Third quarter results included the operations of Medtec Ambulance Corp., acquired last October. Excluding Medtec, segment sales were up 19% and operating income was up 43% from a year ago.
Defense sales were $111.3 million, up 60% from third quarter 2000. The increase was due primarily to increased production of Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement trucks being built under a contract with the U.S. Marines. Operating income for the segment was $8.7 million, down 20% from a year ago. The reduction in operating income was due mainly to higher sales of the lower-margin MTVRs, which was partially offset by strong parts sales during the quarter.