Interview with Rogerio dos Santos: Higher Capacities and Compact Sizes

Rogerio dos Santos, vice president of strategy and product management, JLG talks about what customers are looking for, the benefits of environmentally friendly machines, going autonomous, enhanced detection for safety, and more.

What do you see as some of the new trends in mobile elevating work platforms and telehandlers (not just with your company’s products). What are customers particularly looking for?

Dos Santos: Although most of these are not new, trends in what customers are requesting in MEWPs include:

1. Higher capacities: Customers seek MEWPs that can lift heavier loads. This trend is driven by the need to increase productivity by moving more materials or supporting more workers on a single platform. Higher capacity MEWPs allow for fewer trips and more efficient use of time and resources on job sites.

2. Compact sizes: There's a growing demand for smaller, more maneuverable MEWPs operating in confined spaces. This is particularly important in urban construction, renovation projects and industrial settings where space is at a premium. Compact MEWPs offer greater accessibility and versatility in tight work areas.

3. Versatility: Multi-purpose MEWPs are becoming increasingly popular. Customers prefer machines that can perform various tasks, reducing the need for multiple (pieces of) specialized equipment. This versatility can lead to cost savings, improved efficiency, and simplified fleet management.

4. Environmentally friendly operation: With growing environmental concerns and stricter regulations, there's a shift towards MEWPs with low or zero emissions, reduced noise levels and minimal fluid leakage. These eco-friendly features allow operation in sensitive areas like hospitals, schools and indoor spaces, as well as in jurisdictions with strict environmental regulations.

5. Connectivity: MEWPs are increasingly being integrated into the broader construction ecosystem through IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. This connectivity enables real-time monitoring of machine performance, predictive maintenance, fleet management, and data-driven decision-making. It can also enhance safety by providing remote diagnostics and operation oversight.

6. Autonomous operation: There's growing interest in MEWPs with autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. These features can improve safety by reducing human error, address labor shortages by allowing one operator to manage multiple machines and increase efficiency by optimizing movement and positioning. Autonomous functions can range from simple self-leveling to complex navigation and task execution.

These trends collectively point towards a future of MEWPs that are more capable, efficient, safe and sustainable while also being better integrated with modern construction management practices.

What improvements are being made in the aerial industry in regard to safety, in your products and in the industry as a whole? Are there particular areas of safety you feel need to be addressed more, i.e., falls from height, electrocutions, entrapments, tools falling out of platforms, etc.?

Issues such as falls from height, electrocution, entrapments and tools falling from platforms continue to pose significant risks. Addressing these concerns through continued innovation and rigorous safety protocols remains a priority to further protect workers and improve job site safety.

Significant advancements have also been made to enhance job site safety, particularly for tasks involving heavy, repetitive motion or work in varying conditions. A major focus has been on integrating advanced technology to improve safety and efficiency. For example, one of our focuses at JLG has been to reduce the need for operators to be physically involved in high-risk tasks by leveraging robotics and autonomy. This shift makes strenuous work less taxing and significantly enhances safety by minimizing direct exposure to hazards. Here are some examples:

• Self-leveling chassis and variable tilt: These technologies help stabilize JLG boom and scissor lifts to maintain a safe working position when operators work on uneven surfaces.
• JLG’s Load Sensing Technology: This feature is designed to keep the machine within the allowable work envelope by limiting range depending on platform load, ensuring that equipment operates within safe capacity load limits.
• SkySense: This enhanced detection system uses strategically placed object detection sensors to provide operators with an added level of awareness of their immediate surroundings as they operate.
• Mobile Control: This option allows operators to drive, steer and load JLG ES scissor lifts at a safe distance from the machine, allowing better visibility of possible obstructions.
• ClearSky Smart Fleet: This breakthrough IoT technology offers real-time equipment monitoring and maintenance recommendations to enhance safety and productivity.

Overall, integrating these advanced technologies will not only make current construction tasks safer but also have the potential to attract a more diverse workforce by making the industry more accessible and less physically demanding.

How much have rental companies improved in regard to safety practices and training their customers in safety in recent years? How would you like to see improvement in this area?

Rental companies have made many strides in safety practices and training, propelling the industry forward. Despite their hard work and efforts, we continue to hear that many end users are unaware of how the changes to the industry standards impact them on their job sites. One question our sales team frequently gets regarding the new standards, as they relate to training, is: “How do I get certified?” This falls under A92.24, which covers MEWP training materials, defines how theoretical and practical training should be delivered, and identifies required elements for proper training and familiarization. 

JLG training programs are available through JLG University to bring safety and confidence to job sites. With expert-designed curriculum and course plans, our programs ensure operators comply with the most up-to-date ANSI and OSHA regulations. From online supervisor training to operator and service training, JLG has training programs to meet customers’ needs. JLG recently updated JLG University by offering more courses, customized learning paths, interactive learning tools and much more to enhance the user experience with JLG training programs.

What are the main new developments in your company’s products? 

Recently, JLG has taken significant steps to develop and enhance our product lines. We have completed the acquisitions of Hinowa and AUSA to expand our portfolio with new models and specialty machines that go beyond our traditional access offering to our customers. We also continue to update our core product lines, exemplified by our introduction of the refreshed SkyTrak 8042 telehandler model this past spring. And, we have expanded our range of electric equipment to include the all-new E313 telehandler and ES4046 scissor lift models.

In addition, we are adding new features, accessories and options, such as AC drive motors, mid-rail decks, lithium battery packs and onboard generators, to help customers work more productively in specific applications. Additionally, we are transitioning from telematics to IoT for two-way fleet management and a communication platform for interactivity with the launch of ClearSky Smart Fleet and have refreshed JLG University to provide a modern user experience through enhanced learning paths.

We ask manufacturers and rental companies about electric and hybrid aerial machines, and we find demand and acceptance is increasing each year, along with improved charging infrastructure on jobsites. Do you agree with this? What are your expectations for this market in the foreseeable future, particularly in rental?

Yes, at JLG, we agree that the demand and acceptance of electric and hybrid aerial machines are on the rise, a trend we expect to continue in the foreseeable future. Here are some key factors contributing to this growth:

1. Increased Model Variety: We’re seeing a broader range of electric and hybrid aerial machines become available. These new models offer longer runtimes and quicker charging capabilities, which address some of the previous limitations and make them more practical for various applications.

2. Expansion of Bi-Energy Options: The availability of hybrid and/or bi-energy options is also growing. These machines combine electric power with traditional fuel sources, offering greater flexibility and extending operational hours while still benefiting from the reduced emissions and lower operating costs of electric power.
3. Falling Costs for Advanced Battery Technologies: The costs of advanced battery technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, are decreasing. This reduction in cost makes electric and hybrid machines more financially accessible for both rental companies and end-users, further driving adoption.

4. Growing Charging Infrastructure: The charging infrastructure is improving, with more portable solutions available to bring power directly to job sites. This advancement alleviates one of the most significant challenges associated with electric machines and supports increased use in the field.

Given these advancements, we expect that the market for electric and hybrid aerial machines will continue to grow, especially in the rental sector. We also anticipate that rental companies will likely experience greater demand for these eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions as these machines continue to become more efficient and economically viable.