Our story begins when our company founder, John L. Grove, left a successful crane manufacturing company that he co-founded. To enjoy some time off, he and his wife traveled across the U.S., visiting major landmarks, including the Hoover Dam. It was there that Grove learned of a pressing need for a machine that could lift workers into the air safely and efficiently.
When he returned from his trip, Grove rallied a small group of people around his big idea: there had to be a safer way to work at height. So, keeping workers’ needs at the top of his mind, he set out to resolve this growing concern in the construction industry. With a crew of just 20 workers at a small metal fabrication shop in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, he conceptualized, built and sold the first JLG aerial work platform in 1970, which started our company and pioneered the access industry.
Today, that pioneering spirit still drives us to redefine what it means to be productive and safe at height. Through customer-inspired innovation and the exploration of new technologies, we’re advancing our industry on job sites around the world. And we do it all with people in mind, creating solutions that protect, elevate and empower our customers to do their jobs.
When Grove passed away in 2003, he left behind a legacy—one that’s centered around a constant desire to keep people safe. This principle is still central to our company as we continue to expand into global markets, develop cutting-edge products and bring a fresh perspective to the worksite of the future.
Learn more about the progress we’ve made in over half a century of elevating access.
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