The City of Milwaukee has launched a significant legal battle against major fire truck manufacturers, accusing them of engaging in anticompetitive practices that have allegedly led to inflated prices and delayed deliveries of essential firefighting equipment. On February 18, 2026, the City filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, targeting Oshkosh Corporation, REV Group, Inc., Rosenbauer America LLC, and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA).
The lawsuit alleges that these companies have conspired to suppress competition in the fire truck market by exchanging sensitive information through FAMA and coordinating to limit supply while raising prices. This alleged conspiracy has resulted in significant harm to municipalities across the United States, including Milwaukee itself. The City claims that these actions violate federal and state antitrust laws and seeks treble damages, injunctive relief, and other remedies.
According to the complaint, the defendants control between 70% to 80% of the U.S. fire truck market. They are accused of using their dominant positions to exchange nonpublic information about pricing and production strategies through FAMA meetings and reports. This information exchange is said to have enabled them to maintain artificially high prices for fire trucks while failing to meet increased demand from fire departments nationwide.
The City of Milwaukee highlights its own experiences as evidence of this alleged conspiracy’s impact. Since 2014, it has purchased numerous fire trucks at what it describes as inflated prices due to the defendants’ conduct. The complaint details specific purchases from dealers associated with Oshkosh’s Pierce Manufacturing brand and REV Group’s E-One brand, noting substantial price increases over time.
The plaintiffs argue that these practices have not only burdened taxpayers with higher costs but also jeopardized public safety by delaying delivery times for new fire trucks. They cite instances where orders placed years ago remain unfulfilled or face additional surcharges due to “floating prices” clauses in contracts.
In response to these allegations, Milwaukee seeks class certification on behalf of all similarly affected purchasers across various states. The lawsuit aims to recover overcharges paid by municipalities like Milwaukee due to what they allege is an illegal contract or conspiracy among manufacturers aimed at fixing prices above competitive levels.
Representing Milwaukee are attorneys from several law firms specializing in antitrust litigation: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP; Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.; Gustafson Gluek PLLC; Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP; Heins Mills & Olson PLC; Wexler Wallace LLP; Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.; Berger Montague PC; Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP; Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy LLP; Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.
This case is presided over by Judge William C Griesbach under Case ID 1:26-cv-00271.
Source: 126cv00271_City_of_Milwaukee_v_Oshkosh_Corporation_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
