JLG awarded $102.2 million U.S. Army contract

JLG Industries, Inc., was awarded a contract valued at $102.2 million by the U.S. Army for the purchase of 566 JLG ATLAS II military telescopic material handlers over the next five years. JLG, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corp., and a producer of access equipment, made the announcement Feb. 6. The machines will be delivered for deployment throughout the U.S. Army in all logistics areas. The contract includes requirements for field service support, add-on armor, performance-based logistics and simulators for training purposes.

“JLG is proud to be awarded this contract to serve the U.S. Army with the next-generation of ATLAS material handlers,” said Charles L. Szews, president of JLG. “Our ATLAS material handlers have proven their reliability throughout the U.S. Army over the past 11 years in a variety of environments and applications.

“This new model incorporates the latest in diagnostics and improved maintainability to enhance the versatility and reduce the machine logistics footprint to meet the U.S. Army’s diverse material-handling needs. With the combined strength of the JLG and Oshkosh Truck service networks, we can offer a more comprehensive service solution for our military customers.”

In June, JLG is scheduled to deliver six production verification test (PVT) vehicles to the U.S. Army for extensive military testing.

The ATLAS II transports all types of materials through water, sand, mud and other rugged terrain our troops encounter. The ATLAS II brings the same robust, combat-proven design as the ATLAS I, with additional features such as lube-for-life systems and onboard diagnostics. This combination reduces machine annual maintenance by 75 percent and provides point-of-use access to diagnostic information. With the last delivery of ATLAS, JLG will have built and delivered over 2,300 ATLAS I vehicles for U.S. Army locations around the globe.

The ATLAS II’s tier-three engine reduces noise and exhaust emissions, making it compliant with EPA and CE regulations and can be retrofitted to both the 6000M and ATLAS I vehicles to up-grade their performance. Robust 20-ply tires increase puncture resistance and increase sidewall strength for improved handling stability for all terrain and load conditions. The ATLAS II was designed to maintain commonality with fielded fleets. The availability of multiple attachments such as various fork configurations, a utility bucket, and fork-rollers provide added versatility.

Ingersoll Rand reports increased overall company revenues, lower Bobcat revenues

Ingersoll Rand Co. announced revenues increased by 7 percent to $2.89 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared with the 2005 fourth quarter. The company reported net earnings of $222 million for the fourth quarter of 2006.

“Our fourth quarter performance demonstrated the strength of our diversified business portfolio,” said Herbert Henkel, chairman, president and CEO.“Double-digit revenue increases in our diversified industrial businesses more than offset revenue declines in businesses affected by the significant slowdown in North American residential markets.”

Bobcat revenues decreased by more than 15 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2005, due to the ongoing contraction in the North American market for compact equipment and a related planned reduction in shipments to distributors to draw down their equipment inventories. Bobcat margins declined due to lower revenues, unfavorable cost absorption from reduced factory production and unfavorable product and geographic mix.

Revenues for Ingersoll Rand’s Construction Technologies equipment, which includes Ingersoll Rand road pavers, compactors, portable power products, general purpose construction equipment and attachments, were $319.8 million and increased by 21 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2005. The company says the increase was due to continuing strength in the international road development and repair markets and ongoing improvement in worldwide markets for attachments and utility equipment.

UpRight gives away Shelby

UpRight celebrated its return to the U.S. market by giving away one of the most sought-after cars in America.

UpRight held a prize drawing for a brand-new Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 Mustang at The Rental Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The draw was the highlight of the UpRight party, which was one of the most lavish parties in The Rental Show’s history and was attended by more than 400 guests.

Max Christopher, of Christopher Equipment in Tennessee, was the lucky winner.

“I just started hollering when my name and number was called out,” he said. “I still can’t believe it. My family are all really excited, especially my 13-yearold son, Grant.”

Christopher signed all the paperwork and drove the Shelby right off the UpRight stand at the close of the show and the 150 miles back home. And in this case, home could not be more aptly named; the UpRight Shelby will take pride of place in the showroom of Christopher Equipment’s store — in Shelbyville.

“We couldn’t have picked a more fitting winner and hope the Shelby Cobra brings Max years of driving pleasure,” said Darren Kell, CEO of UpRight. “We decided to give away a Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 because, like UpRight, this car is an American legend, with a proud history.

“Giving away such an amazing automobile demonstrated that we think and operate differently to other aerial lift manufacturers. Also, the interest it generated put us directly in front of a huge potential customer base.”

The Tanfield Group Plc, a UK-based company, bought the aerial lift division of UpRight in June 2006. Since the takeover, order intake has soared and UpRight has reintroduced machine production at the company’s spiritual home in California.

The new management team has also improved build quality and spare parts availability. Later this year, UpRight will open a major U.S. facility that will produce a full range of booms and scissors for the North American market.

“The Rental Show was a superb platform for us to re-launch UpRight in America and the feedback was tremendous,” Kell said. “The party and car giveaway was fun, but our message was serious: UpRight is back as a global player in the aerial lift industry.

“The reception we received demonstrates that the market both wants and needs an alternative to the present duopoly. There is room for a third big manufacturer, and we are fast growing into that role.”

Raymond celebrates 85 years of material handling

This year The Raymond Corporation is celebrating its 85th anniversary as a manufacturer in the materials handling industry. From the company’s invention of the first hydraulic hand pallet truck in 1934 to current research in fuel cells and RFID-enabled lift trucks, Raymond has been a pioneer in leading-edge innovations that improve materials handling productivity, reliability and efficiency.

“In the past 85 years, population increases and lifestyle changes have put more demand on warehouse and distribution capacity and performance,” said Jim Malvaso, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation. “In response, Raymond has designed increasingly sophisticated lift trucks that help producers and shippers reduce costs, increase throughput, improve order picking selectivity, and store more products in smaller spaces and at greater heights.”

Raymond began in 1922 when George Raymond Sr. purchased Lyon Iron Works, a small foundry in Greene, N.Y. Since then, the company has invented and patented technologies that have become industry standards, such as the hydraulic hand pallet truck, the doublefaced pallet, the narrow aisle lift truck and the Reach-Fork truck.

Raymond also has been a leader in advancing the development of several lift truck innovations, including electronic controls, ergonomic designs, and ACpowered traction and lift.

Today, Raymond continues its tradition of leadership and innovation by researching ways to improve materials handling performance through new and emerging technologies such as the Vantage-Point operator assist system, fuel cell-powered lift trucks and RFIDenabled lift trucks.

Genie named Business of the Year by Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce

For the second consecutive year, the Greater Redmond (WA) Chamber of Commerce named Genie Industries the Business of the Year. Genie was also awarded Business Partner of the Year for the second time in three years.

According to Christine Hoffman, CEO of Redmond Chamber, the Business of the Year award is given to a business with more than 50 employees that meets at least one of three criteria: bringing new jobs to the city through expansion, taking extraordinary measures to retain jobs in Redmond or supporting employees’ collective actions to make significant improvements in the community.

“This is the first time a company has received very strong ratings in all three categories,” Hoffman said. “Genie is proactive in supporting the business perspective for Redmond.

“Genie supports the needs of our community, helping us represent business, so that legislators — on a local, state, regional and even federal level — listen to our ideas and often change their views. The company has helped Redmond with everything from transportation and taxation issues to storm water management.”

“Genie Industries also supports its employees in their efforts to make a difference,” Hoffman added. In point, Genie received the Business Partner of the Year award — given to an individual who, through volunteer leadership and action, shared their expertise, insight and resources to make a difference in the community. This year’s recipient was Genie team member Michael Johnson.

NCCER announces third annual Careers in Construction week

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) announced the third annual Careers in Construction Week will take place Oct. 15-19, 2007.

Careers in Construction Week is a nationwide image campaign designed to increase public awareness of the hard work and contributions of our nation’s craft professionals. This week will promote recognition among parents, teachers, and students of the rewarding career opportunities available in construction and is dedicated to the men and women who build our future.

“2006 was an overwhelming success,” said Don Whyte, NCCER president.“Thirty-two governors proclaimed Careers in Construction Week in their state. We encourage everyone to reach out and get involved in this nationwide event.”

Contractors, schools, and industry associations throughout the country will conduct career fairs and various construction- related activities to help promote construction career opportunities in their communities.

NCCER also provides an array of promotional materials, including a comprehensive planning guide, to assist in planning a successful week. Materials are distributed free of charge and select materials are also available for download at careers.nccer.org.

Leica Geosystems acquires company, increases product offerings

Leica Geosystems has increased its visibility and product offerings in machine automation through the acquisition of Svensk Byggnads Geodesi AB (SBG), Mikrofyn AS, Scanlaser AB and Scanlaser AS.

Hexagon and Leica Geosystems’ most recent acquisition, the Swedish company SBG, designs, manufactures and supplies software and hardware for surveying and machine control applications.

SBG’s primary products are machine control solutions, field surveying software as well as office tools for surveyors. In recent years, SBG has shown an annual growth of approximately 30 percent, and in 2006, SBG had a turnover of 40 million Swedish krona. Founded in 1970, SBG is based in Stockholm, Sweden and employs 30 people.

In September 2006, Hexagon and Leica Geosystems acquired Mikrofyn AS in Denmark. The company is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of machine automation and laser leveling and alignment equipment for the building construction and civil engineering industries.

Mikrofyn’s product range consists of a portfolio of automatic and manual machine control systems for excavators, graders, dozers and paving machines, as well as a broad line of laser rotators, laser receivers and pipe lasers. Mikrofyn is based in Odense, Denmark, and currently has 70 employees. In the past several years, the company has shown annual growth rates of 30 percent.

In May 2006, Hexagon and Leica Geosystems announced the acquisition of Scanlaser AB in Sweden and Scanlaser AS in Norway. Scanlaser is the leading system integrator for machine automation solutions in Scandinavia and Poland. The companies provide sales, assembly and support services for machine automation systems for construction machines as well as a wide range of stand-alone laser products for the building and construction industry. Scanlaser was already a longtime distribution partner for Leica Geosystems’ GPS products, which the company integrated into their high-end 3D machine automation solutions.

Scanlaser AB and Scanlaser AS have a combined turnover of approximately 120 million Swedish krona and over the last few years have shown an average growth of about 35 percent per annum.

JLG’s Telehandler Skills Challenge won by Joe Thomas of Knowlton & Sons Masonry Construction

Joe Thomas, representing Knowlton& Sons Masonry Construction of Clifford, PA, was the first place winner in the 2007 JLG Telehandler Skills Challenge held during the World of Concrete Show in Las Vegas, NV, JLG Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corp. and a producer of access equipment announced.

The competition was held among licensed telehandler operators from across the United States and Canada on a closed course simulated worksite. Contestants used their choice of Gradall, JLG, Lull, or SkyTrak telehandler and scoring was based on following proper safety procedures, driving accuracy, load placement and the overall time to complete the course. In addition to JLG Industries, other sponsors of the competition included Miller Electric and Dakota AG Innovations.

The top eight competitors advanced to the finals where they were given two opportunities to navigate the course. Final standings were based on the best score of their two runs, with prizes and trophies awarded to the top three competitors.

“Our congratulations to Joe Thomas and all of the competitors in the 2007 JLG Telehandler Skills Challenge,” said David Baxter, JLG’s director of marketing and market development, who was on hand to present the awards. “As the world’s largest manufacturer of telehandlers, JLG is delighted to have again sponsored this contest. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of these operators and to demonstrate how telehandlers can contribute to the safety and productivity on job sites everywhere.”

Driving a Gradall Model G6-42P, Thomas took the top prize of a 42-inch plasma television set and Miller generator. Second place honors, including a Weber grill and Omaha steak package, went to Pete Greco from G. Porter & Company in Naperville, IL driving a Lull 644E-42. Third place and a Miller welder went to last year’s winner, Eric Roussel of Randy Roussel Masonry Inc. in Dubuque, IA who drove a SkyTrak Model 6042.

Along with the three top prize winners, other contestants qualifying for the finals included Michael Bonner (Caswell Brickwork Inc., Warrenton, MS), Glenn Houghton Sr. (Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, IA), Chris Yeghoian (RE Serrano, Antioch, CA), Mario Nichilo Jr. (Turnpike Masonry Ltd., Toronto, Canada) and Bill Larson (Summit Concrete & Masonry, Cedar, MN).

In addition to their merchandise prizes all three top finishers also received a crystal trophy, while all eight finalists received a JLG jacket, a die cast model of the telehandler they used in the competition and a commemorative JLG shirt and hardhat.