McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania (March 7, 2019)—John L. Grove, founder of JLG Industries Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telehandlers, was honored posthumously with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access International at the annual International Awards for Powered Access (IAPA) conference. 

The IAPA lifetime achievement award is presented annually to an individual who made significant and lasting contributions to the powered access industry or played a key role in the industry during the course of a career or over many years.

“This recognition, in the 50th year of the company he founded, brings a huge sense of pride to our organization and will inspire us to continue innovating in his spirit,” said Frank Nerenhausen, president, JLG Industries. “John’s legacy can be seen around the world with safer, more accessible jobsites.” 

Grove’s contributions to the access industry date back to January 9, 1969, when he rallied a small group of people around one big idea—to create a safer way to work at height. This seed idea came to life with the introduction of the first aerial work platform, commonly referred to as “JLG 1.” 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.

Since the introduction of the first boom lift, the company 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 the 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. 

Nerenhausen added, “I doubt when Grove started, he could have imagined how profoundly he would impact construction sites around the globe just 50 years later. Inspired by his work, JLG will continue to be driven by Grove’s passion for customer-inspired innovation, allowing the company to remain the access leader for the next 50 years.”

For more information, visit jlg.com.