JLG Reaches 250,000 North America-Manufactured Self-Propelled Boomlift
Leading aerial work platform manufacturer JLG Industries has produced its 250,000th self-propelled boom lift. The model is a 660SJ and was built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Shippensburg, Pa.
“This is a monumental achievement for JLG and one of the many milestones we have marked since JLG produced the world’s first boom lift nearly 50 years ago,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corp. executive vice president and president of JLG Industries. “Since that time, we have evolved the product line to continually reach new heights in a safe, sustainable manner, allowing our customers to work in areas that would be otherwise unattainable.”
In 2006, JLG celebrated production of its 100,000th North American-made boom lift. Other historical first include introduction of the first oscillating axle technology in 1981, manufacturing the first fuel-cell powered boom lift in 1999 and production of the world’s largest self-propelled boom lift, the 1850SJ in 2014.
JLG delivered the commemorative lift to Skyworks LLC, Buffalo, N.Y., the same rental company that purchased the 100,000th boom lift in 2006 and the 100,000th JLG telehandler in 2015. Skyworks also took delivery of the first JLG 1850SJ in 2014.
“We feel very privileged to receive this commemorative lift,” said Jerry Reinhart, president and founder of Skyworks. “As a family-owned business with a long and successful partnership with JLG that spans three generations, this lift underscores our commitment to JLG and the company’s commitment to us and the rental industry.”
Reinhart’s father, Jerry Reinhart Sr., founded Access Rentals in 1974 and purchased a JLG lift commemorating the country’s bicentennial in 1976. Owning commemorative equipment has become a family legacy.
“I distinctly remember buying the commemorative lift in 1976, and I’m proud that my son and granddaughter are here with me today to celebrate another historical moment in our relationship with JLG,” Reinhart Sr. said.
“Our relationship with Skyworks dates back to the company’s founding,” said Bill Dovey, product manager, boom lifts, JLG. “It’s a relationship we value, not only for the business it brings to us, but also for the opportunities it presents to celebrate together as we reach important milestones like this one.”
“JLG has understood our business needs from day one, and the company continues to make the best products in the business,” added Reinhart Jr. “Additionally, the resale value on the equipment remains the highest in the industry, which affects our bottom line and is a strong indicator of how well these machines are built.”
JLG began with 20 workers nearly 50 years ago.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.