JLG Industries Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a leading manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, debuted its newly renovated distribution center in Indaiatuba, Brazil. Members of JLG’s leadership teams in Latin America and North America greeted customers as well as members of the community and media for a cocktail reception, press conference and stops at key locations in the updated facility.
“The investment JLG has made in the Indaiatuba distribution center underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to Latin America,” said Tim Morris, JLG Industries senior vice president sales, market development and customer support – Americas. “We are now better positioned to support our customers as they take advantage of the many growth opportunities that are transforming Latin American into such an attractive and important market.”
Marco Cardoso, JLG Industries vice president of sales and aftermarket, adds, “The distribution center also demonstrates, in a very concrete way, JLG’s commitment to Brazil and the local Indaiatuba economy. As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games, we are anticipating tremendous infrastructure improvements in the region. We have increased our workforce in Indaiatuba by 40 percent, recruiting local talent and investing $2.9 million in human capital that will support our customers with innovative products and services as they take advantage of the opportunities these improvements present.”
Center triples inventory and introduces new technologies
The 11,200-square-meter facility includes a renovated warehouse that accommodates a significantly larger parts inventory. Accessing those parts is much easier, thanks to a unique selection system.
“JLG is the first company in Brazil to deploy the shuttle order picking solution in a distribution facility,” said Donnell Mata, JLG Industries director of product support-Latin America. “This cutting-edge technology supports efficient business operations by expediting the picking process and enabling our employees to fill orders at a significantly increased speed. At the same time, our increased parts inventory contributes to improved fill rates for our customers.”
According to Mata, improved fill rates mean less downtime on the jobsite.
“And because JLG can provide more of what our customers need from a single, in-country source, they no longer need to import equipment and parts on their own, saving time and the extra costs associated with the importation process. Our focus is to provide our customers with a life-cycle solution – a solution that gives them not only the products they need, but also the service to support those products in the field.”
Richard del Campo, JLG Industries director of market development – Latin America, adds, “Customers throughout Latin America will also benefit from JLG’s mobile app. Online Express allows customers to access direct quotes, warranty service and manuals, all in their native in-country language, making it easier for them to do business with JLG. It’s just one more way that JLG is reaching out to customers in this region and supporting them with the resources and equipment they need to succeed.”
Call centers and training area improve customer service
The updated facility also includes two new parts and service call centers, which improve customer support and service by providing direct access to JLG to place orders and resolve service issues. The center also houses a new training area that will introduce rental and construction companies to JLG products and provide equipment operation and maintenance instruction.
Those who attended the event also had the opportunity to visit the distribution center’s two shipyards and experience JLG equipment during an equipment rodeo. The rodeo spotlighted the SkyTrak 8042 telehandler, JLG G12-55A telehandler, and JLG 3248RS electric scissor lift, among other products.
In addition to JLG customers, the Indaiatuba community is also benefitting from JLG’s expanded presence in the area. On Nov. 10, employees at the Brazil Distribution Center helped remodel a children’s shelter in Indaiatuba. Meanwhile, JLG equipment is helping build two million homes for low-income families across Brazil as part of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida public works project.
With manufacturing facilities in China, the United States, Belgium, Romania, and one in France, and sales and service support across six continents, JLG customers all over the world can secure the right equipment for the jobs at hand. For additional information about JLG products, visit the company website at www.jlg.com.