In an effort to adapt to the economic slowdown, JLG Industries said it would restructure its operations, cutting 635 jobs and taking a charge in its fiscal fourth quarter.

In addition, the McConnellsburg, Pa.-based manufacturer said it would close one of its two facilities in Bedford, Pa. during the first quarter of fiscal 2002, costing 265 jobs and cut another 370 employees during the fiscal fourth quarter.

JLG said it would take a pretax charge from the reorganization of about $16 million, 24 cents a share, in the fiscal fourth quarter.

The company also announced it intends to open a European aerial work platform plant on an 80,000 square foot property in Maasmechelen, Belgium. JLG's most popular scissor lift and boom lift models will be available within the first 12 months of operation, according to Peter Bonafede, the company's senior vice president of manufacturing.