IN Brief:
- JLG’s new Cerea facility occupies a 7,700m² site, including 2,500m² of covered space and 435m² of offices.
- The initial Recon programme covers four boom lift models, with extensive rebuilding, testing and a two-year machine and engine warranty.
- Technical training will expand to four or five courses per month covering JLG, Hinowa and Ausa equipment, alongside approximately ten annual IPAF courses.
JLG Industries has opened a European Reconditioning Centre in Cerea, Italy, establishing a facility for rebuilding selected used boom lifts and expanding its regional aftermarket operations. The 7,700m² site includes 2,500m² of covered accommodation and 435m² of office space, providing capacity for machinery reconditioning, servicing, repairs and technical training.
The centre is situated approximately 15km from JLG’s established Hinowa operation in Nogara. It will support the manufacturer’s Reconditioned Equipment programme, known as Recon, through which eligible used boom lifts are inspected, dismantled and rebuilt to their original equipment specifications. The service provides fleet owners with an alternative to purchasing new machinery or continuing to operate older equipment without a comprehensive rebuild.
Four models are included in the initial programme: the JLG 600AJ, 660SJ, 800AJ and 860SJ. The selection covers articulating and telescopic boom lift configurations used for different working-at-height operations. Further models are expected to be introduced as the programme develops, although JLG has not established a publicly confirmed timetable for expanding the eligible range.
Reconditioning begins with an assessment of whether the used machine is suitable for the programme. That initial inspection determines whether the equipment can progress through the manufacturer’s rebuilding process. JLG-trained technicians then dismantle an accepted machine, removing major components for rebuilding or replacement with new genuine parts before reassembly.
The process goes beyond the repairs and servicing normally undertaken before a used machine is offered for resale. Components are evaluated within a structured refurbishment programme, with the objective of returning the equipment to its original technical specification. The work can involve mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and control systems according to the condition and configuration of the machine.
Self-propelled boom lifts rely on several interconnected systems to position a work platform at height. The boom structure carries the platform and its rated load, while hydraulic systems control movement and positioning. Electrical controls, monitoring equipment and protective functions manage operation within the limits established by the manufacturer.
The condition of these systems must be considered together because changes to one component can affect the operation of the machine as a whole. A hydraulic fault may restrict boom movement, while wear or damage within a structural component can require a different repair or replacement process. The manufacturer’s rebuilding procedures provide a defined method for assessing and restoring the components relevant to the original design.
Following reassembly, JLG technicians carry out inspections and functional testing to identify discrepancies. The company has established checklists intended to verify operation and safety functions before a final quality audit. Machines completing the process are supplied with a two-year warranty covering the equipment and engine, subject to the terms of the applicable warranty agreement.
The warranty and restoration programme are intended to give equipment buyers greater confidence in the condition of selected used machines. Reconditioning to the original specification does not mean that an older unit acquires the capabilities or technical features introduced on later models. Its working height, outreach, platform capacity and other operating limits remain those applicable to the machine’s approved configuration.
Those limits continue to govern the equipment’s suitability for construction and maintenance tasks. A boom lift must be selected according to the height and horizontal reach required, the loads to be carried, the available working area and the condition of the supporting ground. Rebuilding the machine does not remove the need to assess these factors or follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Rental businesses frequently make investment decisions based on the age, utilisation and maintenance costs of their fleets. A machine that remains technically capable of serving customer requirements may nevertheless become more expensive to maintain as components wear and repair work increases. Reconditioning offers a route for extending the productive use of selected equipment where the cost and availability of a rebuilt machine suit the operator’s requirements.
Purchasing new machinery remains an alternative, potentially providing different performance characteristics, warranties or technical features. Fleet owners must compare the purchase price, expected utilisation, maintenance arrangements and suitability for customer demand when choosing between these options. The Recon programme does not establish that reconditioned equipment will be the most economical choice in every case.
Retaining usable components may also reduce the quantity of new material required compared with manufacturing a replacement machine. However, JLG has not published a quantified lifecycle carbon assessment or verified emissions saving for the new European programme. The potential environmental consequences therefore cannot be presented as a specific carbon reduction achieved through each rebuild.
The Cerea facility will also expand JLG’s capacity to provide servicing and repairs for European customers. A dedicated workshop complements the manufacturer’s network of authorised service centres, allowing selected work to be undertaken through the new operation while existing service partners continue supporting machinery in their respective markets.
Repair and maintenance arrangements are important throughout the working life of access equipment. Planned inspections, replacement of wear components and appropriate servicing help identify deterioration before it affects operation. Machines also require competent examination and maintenance in accordance with the applicable instructions and legal requirements. The new facility provides additional manufacturer-managed capacity within that established support process.
Technical training is another major element of the investment. During the previous four years, the Nogara operation delivered approximately 350 courses attended by nearly 800 technicians. The Cerea centre adds classrooms and larger covered practical training areas, supporting instruction that combines technical information with direct access to machinery and workshop activities.
JLG plans to provide four or five courses each month covering JLG, Hinowa and Ausa products. Approximately ten International Powered Access Federation safety courses are also planned annually, with JLG operating as an IPAF-approved training centre. The training programme will include use of the manufacturer’s Online Express system for accessing parts and aftermarket information.
Technicians working on access equipment require familiarity with the specific machines they service, particularly where faults involve hydraulic, electrical or electronic control systems. Manufacturer training can support accurate diagnosis, identification of replacement components and the correct application of maintenance procedures. These activities complement, rather than replace, the broader competence and inspection requirements applicable to powered access machinery.
David Courtin, JLG’s General Manager for Aftermarket Europe, said the investment was intended to provide customers with more choice in managing their fleets. Laurent Dumez, Senior Manager for Used and Recon in Europe, also identified equipment availability and the timing of fleet replacement as factors influencing demand for a reconditioning alternative.
The manufacturer has not disclosed the construction cost of the Cerea centre, its planned annual rebuilding output or the number of employees assigned to the operation. The facility’s current scope is defined by its workshop and training capabilities, with four selected boom lift models included in the initial rebuilding programme.
With the centre now established, JLG will expand its European aftermarket services through the combined reconditioning, repair and training operation. The first Recon machines will be drawn from the four eligible models, while the manufacturer intends to add further equipment types as the programme develops.
