McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania (Jan. 9, 2019)—JLG Industries, Inc., global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telehandlers, has officially kicked off its year-long 50th anniversary celebration, marking a half-century since its founder spearheaded the access industry with the introduction of the world’s first boom lift, commonly referred to as JLG 1. 

On Jan. 9, 1969, John L. Grove rallied a small group of people around one big idea—create a safer way to work at height. This seed idea came to life with the introduction of the first aerial work platform. Grove’s passion for safety and his pioneering spirit continue to be carried out today by more than 6,000 JLG employees around the world.

“50 years is a remarkable milestone for both JLG and the access industry,” said Frank Nerenhausen, JLG president. “Our founder not only started a company, but an entire industry. This is a key point of differentiation for the JLG brand. We continue to build on this legacy through continuous development of products, services and technology that advance safety for work at height.” 

Since its introduction of the first commercially produced aerial work platform, JLG has claimed many access industry firsts—including oscillating axles for boom and scissor lifts in 1981, the only fuel-cell powered boom lift in 1999; the first environmentally-friendly, 60-foot electric boom lift in 2000; and the first straight-boom lift to reach 150 feet in 2011. The company surpassed its own record in 2014 with the introduction of a 185-foot model 1850SJ, the world’s tallest self-propelled boom lift. In the same year, JLG introduced the first true hybrid diesel/electric boom lift, the H340AJ. 

“For more than 2,000 years, people used inefficient and dangerous methods to access work areas,” said Guru Bandekar, JLG vice president of global product management and development. “So, when you think that a mere half-century ago no one had invented a way to safely elevate people on job sites, one realizes how remarkable John L. Grove’s advancement was. His accomplishment gives all JLG employees a tremendous sense of pride.”

To learn more about the 50-year history of JLG, visit jlg.com/en/destination/jlg50. To learn more about JLG, visit the company website at jlg.com.