Hire and Rental News - May 2018

40 ACCESS IN ACTION • MAY 2018 The four technicians; Alan Rayward, who started as an Assembler and is now Production Manager; Bechir (known as Bech) Taslida, originally an Assembler and now Technical Support Technician; Graham Munro, who began as an Electrician and is now Technical Support Technician, and Graham Smith, originally a Welder and now Ground Support Project Manager; give an insight to JLG’s first Australian operational base. “In the early days we built and assembled the machines here in Australia, so we had a big facility in Port Macquarie including two fabrication shops and two machine shops, a separate electrical section, a very big R&D section, an engineering department and the big main assembly shop where we built everything from 20’ scissors to 80’ booms,” Bech Taslida said. The experienced Port Macquarie team, who can ‘still build a machine from head to toe’, remain a valuable asset to JLG in performing training and Major Inspections and in fielding crews which travel overseas to support JLG operations worldwide, Bob Mules, JLG General Manager – Australia & New Zealand said. On the Cover: Celebrating 35 years supportingAustralia To celebrate 35 years in Australia, JLG recently spoke to four members of the JLG Port Macquarie team, who have been with JLG almost from day one. JLG’s first headquarters was established in Port Macquarie in 1983 to provide a central location between Sydney and Brisbane in response to incentives offered by the government for decentralising industry and providing employment in regional areas. “Port Macquarie headquarters also produced custom-built, one- off machines to suit customer needs, such as for the railways, to work in smelters, and even a fleet of hybrid scissors to assist QANTAS with their airport operations,” Bob said. “QANTAS wanted electrical scissors with a secondary diesel source because they had to run long hours on the tarmac. We built those here about 25 years ago; they were unique in the day and I believe they’re still using them to this day,” Graham Smith said. “Back then few of those options were available from the factory, so we really had the choice to design and build ourselves. It still happens customers want to customise machines, however now that is guided by JLG USA, who has options and accessories available which generally fit what the customer needs,” Graham Munroe said. While JLG worldwide is now renowned for collaborating with customers to create exceptional equipment, there’s no doubt JLG Port Macquarie’s initiative in those early days helped build JLG’s ‘can-do’ reputation here in Australia, Bob said. The Port Macquarie team were at the coalface as the technology of JLG machines advanced, Graham Munroe said. “Because we initially built and assembled all the machines here we’ve always had extensive knowledge of the machines and have seen massive changes in technology over the years. Over a period of 10 or 12 years they went from basic controlled machines to computer driven machines with modules,” Graham Munroe said. “The biggest change would be the electronics in machines. Now you have an analyser you plug in and it will diagnose issues and show a history of fault codes. The machines have become less complex in that you can now diagnose what’s happening with the machine far more simply, and the same with the engine controls which are now all Electronic Control Modules (ECM).” Port Macquarie’s manufacturing is now focused on producing JLG Lighting Towers and the new JLG TSL 2000 scissor trailers. “Port Macquarie was where it all started for JLG Australia. Prior to 1983 we had a dealer network and now 35 years later we operate from seven locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, all with major workshop capabilities and with over 200 passionate employees dedicated to providing industry-leading support and service to our customers,” Bob said. Contact: 131 JLG or visit: www.jlg.com 35 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA ACCESS in ACTION