As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its global spread, Lift and Access is keeping track of its ripple effect on the access equipment and rental industries, noting closures, changes to operations, and construction stoppages.
Check back here for the latest news as it happens.
JLG is suspending production at its U.S. facilities from March 30 through April 13 to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
It is also closing its plant in Mexico through April 13, as well as its plant in France through April 6.
At this time, its parts distribution, service, and call centers remain open. JLG will have limited service technician travel for critical situations.
Because JLG has been deemed a life-sustaining business, the company plans to retain a small crew at each location.
For more information, visit https://www.jlg.com/en/covid-
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in the state to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m., March 19, to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The governor’s closures include building and utility construction.
According to the governor, enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21.
For more information, see the list here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200319-Life-Sustaining-Business.pdf
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered on March 19 all individuals in the state to stay home. The order is mandatory and effective indefinitely.
There are exceptions in the order for “critical infrastructure” sectors, and the Associated General Contractors of California issued a statement saying they submitted a letter asking Newsom to add construction as a qualifying sector. Newsom agreed, and the association said construction is now listed in the executive order as an essential need during this crisis.
For more information, visit www.ca.gov.
JLG Industries is taking several preventive measures to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
Some of the actions JLG has taken include:
Production is continuing at this time, with JLG continuing to monitor the situation as news develops.
For more information, visit ww.jlg.com.
Terex AWP brand Genie, which has manufacturing and support sites in areas greatly impacted by COVID-19 including China, Italy, and locations in Washington state, is continuing production and service while closely monitoring the developing pandemic.
Genie is taking these precautionary steps:
For more information, visit www.genielift.com.
Ritchie Bros. is changing some of its scheduled live auctions to online-only events.
Affected auctions include its Chicago (Morris) auction on March 19) and its Los Angeles (Perris) auction on March 20. Customers can register to bid online for Chicago here http://ow.ly/EAJX50yPrPy and for Los Angeles here: http://ow.ly/wZJV50yPrPx.
For more information, visit www.ritchiebros.com.
Haulotte Closes French Operations
Haulotte has temporarily shut down production in all its French manufacturing facilities.
The company said in a statement that distribution and service is continuing in compliance with local health guidelines and restrictions. Haulotte is allowing French employees to telework if they can, and they have taken measures to limit the spread of the virus at its facilities.
Haulotte said in its statement that the company is not yet in position to determine the global impact on its commercial and financial performance.
For more information, visit www.haulotte.com.
According to a news report, Caterpillar is urging its office employees to work from home through March 31 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Accorindg to the article, Caterpillar offices will remain open for critical functions, and production will continue. Extra precautions will be taken to make sure work areas are properly cleaned and disinfected.
For more information, visit www.centralillinoisproud.com.
JCB Shuts UK Manufacturing Plants
JCB announced in a tweet it is stopping production at all of its U.K. manufacturing facilities.
The closures will remain in effect until the end of next week.
For more information, visit www.jcb.com.
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh suspended regular construction activity on March 17 throughout the city in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement, the City of Boston said employers needed to secure their sites by March 23 and skeleton crews can remain to ensure safety. The construction stoppage will be reviewed at regular intervals, according to the city’s statement.
Emergency construction work will be permitted after approval by the City of Boston's Inspectional Services Department.
For more information, visit www.boston.gov.
Manitou Group closed its operations in France on March 17 in order to help limit the growth of COVID-19.
It will remain closed until March 31, following closure announcements by numerous partners, customers, and suppliers.
Some divisions will be excluded from the closure, including spare parts, customer support, and some central functions. Manitou Group is currently unable to determine the overall impact that this crisis will have on the financial full year.
For more information, visit www.manitou-group.com.
Durante Rentals closed its 10 locations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut on March 16 in order to help limit the spread of COVID-19, CEO Anthony Durante announced.
At this time, Durante said the locations would remain closed until at least the end of the week and would provide an update over the weekend.
“We have committed to paying all of our employees 40 hours this week while absolutely protecting and never compromising their health and safety,” Durante said in a post on LinkedIn.
Though Durante Rentals will not be accepting any new orders or delivering equipment, Durante said phones lines will remain open through remote staff to support critical services.
“If you have equipment on rent that is no longer needed, please call off the equipment by emailing your rental coordinator,” Durante said. “We ask that you please include a photo of the hour meter as to avoid incurring additional rental charges.”
For more information, visit www.duranterentals.com.
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