JLG access equipment sales grow 44 percent

JLG's parent company Oshkosh has recorded 44% more sales of access equipment in its third quarter (ending 30 June 2011) than in the same quarter last year. Operating margins have also increased 5.1%.

The external sales of $562.7 million are, says Oshkosh primarily the result of demand for replacement equipment in North America. During the slow period Oshkosh used some of the access equipment production facility to manufacture parts for its M-ATV (military all-terrain vehicles) produced for the defence segment - these internal sales have fallen from $316 million for the third quarter in 2010 to $17.4 million in 2011. With these figures taken into account sales in the access equipment sector appear to have fallen 18.4% from $711.2 to $580.1.

Charles L. Szews, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief executive officer said, "We are pleased with the progress we made on a number of fronts during our third fiscal quarter, particularly in our access equipment and defense segments."

Oshkosh has recently completed a six month strategy planning process, Mr Szews said, "As part of this strategy, we plan to drive through the pending US defence spending decline by capturing the full benefit of the economic recovery expected in our non-defense markets, continuing to pursue market share gains and expanding into emerging markets. We will also continue working with our dedicated employees and business partners to optimize our cost structure. Already, we are executing on a facility optimisation strategy to become more efficient across our entire company. Early examples of this include the previously announced restructuring actions in our fire & emergency and access equipment segments."

Mr Szews concluded by committing to increased investment in innovative solutions citing amongst other products the solid feedback the company has received on JLG's 150 ft Ultra Boom.