JLG

Company history - JLG Industries, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of mobile aerial work platforms and leading telescopic material handlers and telescopic hydraulic excavators. The company sells primarily to businesses that rent or sell products to industrial, institutional, commercial and construction customers. More than 65 % of the company income is from its aerial work platforms. Headquartered in McConnell burg, Pennsylvania, the company also has production facilities in Bedford, Pennsylvania and operations in Australia and Scotland. In 2000, JLG's sales have reached over $1 billion and then dropped due to a change in the economy.

Fulton Industries, Inc. - JLG began as Fulton Industries, Inc., a small metal fabrication shop located in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. Shortly after its inception in 1969, the company was bought to design a prototype for high-reach equipment, which would be greatly appreciated by workers who had trouble with cumbersome scaffolding and ladders. The company’s name was changed to JLG Industries, Inc. A crew of 20 workers has completed the original boom lift in 1970. The boom could reach the height of 27 feet. When raised, its platform remained stable and horizontal. The boom lift the boom lift had an innovative design, such as an ability to lock tools to reduce clutter at work stations. JLG boom lifts sold well all around the US. They were sold primarily to equipment rental companies which then rented them to companies who were doing construction work. These companies used the lifts to enter hard to reach areas. JLG established a European headquarters in 1977 in Scotland.

Forming JLG University - To educate its employees and provide a forum for its customer base, JLG entered has made a partnership with Penn State University to form JLG University. JLG University was organized into five colleges: professional development, credit courses, leadership, undergraduate, certificate programs and graduate degree programs.

A drop in sales - After surpassing $1 billion in sales, the company has received a prestigious Tally Award in business to business marketing. It suffered a drop in sales shortly after this but in 2001 revenues has fallen to $964 million and in 2002 plunged over 20 % with a drop of income by huge 85 %. JLG attributed the abrupt downturn to a struggling economy, however always had an optimistic attitude towards the future. In an effort to increase their sales, the company concentrated on the international market. It focused on sales in Europe as well in Latin America. It also introduced two new scissor lifts, one with a platform height of 33 feet and another with a platform move height of 43 feet. Both new scissor lifts featured the largest standard deck in their seize class.