JLG celebrates manufacturing milestone

JLG Industries, Inc. is celebrating a milestone in North American manufacturing – the company 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 many milestones we have marked since JLG produced the world’s first boom lift nearly 50 years ago,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, 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.

Delivery of the commemorative lift was made to Skyworks LLC of Buffalo, New York, the same rental company who 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, the world’s largest self-propelled lift, in 2014.

“We feel very privileged to receive this commemorative lift,” said Jerry Reinhart, Jr., 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 nation’s bicentennial in 1976. Owning the commemorative equipment has become quite the family legacy.

Reinhart, Sr. added, “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.”

“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.”

Other historical firsts for JLG include the 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.

As JLG nears it’s 50th anniversary, the company said it is proud of its humble beginnings whichs started with 20 workers creating the first boom lift nearly 50 years ago.