John L. Grove
Encyclopedia
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist, primarily known for developing the hydraulic crane and access lift industries.
Born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
in 1921, John and his older brothers Dwight and Wayne Nicarry started building farm wagons in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, and officially founded Grove Manufacturing Company
in 1947. Needing a method of moving heavy steel for the wagons, John used his knowledge of hydraulics to develop a rudimentary crane. Dealer interest in John's crane soon lead to the decision to produce the first mobile hydraulic industrial cranes. That decision quickly transformed the company from a manufacturer of farm implements to a world leader in the crane market. In the late 1950s, John's work with Paul K. Shockey developed an all-steel hydraulic extension ladder for use on fire trucks. Within Grove Manufacturing, John oversaw the crane division while Dwight dealt with the farm equipment.
Rapid growth, primarily due to demand for the hydraluc cranes, resulted in the company expanding to over 1,000 employees by 1967. That same year, against John's wishes, Grove Manufacturing was sold to the Walter Kidde Company. Internal strife between the brothers, and possible health issues, caused John to leave the company in 1968.
In 1969, John along with Paul Shockey started Condor Industries and began manufacturing self-propelled, telescoping hydrolic ariel 'cherry-picker' style lifts, primarily for the aircraft maintenance industry {fact}. In 1973, Condor Industries was renamed JLG Industries
(JLG for John L. Grove). With innovative products and designs, such as mounting lifts on track-driven frames, locating the crane operators cab on the turret, less expensive truck mounted cranes, and 'scissors' lifts, JLG Industries had over 700 employees and 30 million in sales by the late 1970s{fact}. JLG later became part of Oshkosh Corporation.
By the end of his career, John held over 60 patents.
The John L. Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
is named in honor of him.
Born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile . There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile...
in 1921, John and his older brothers Dwight and Wayne Nicarry started building farm wagons in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, and officially founded Grove Manufacturing Company
Manitowoc Cranes
Manitowoc Cranes is a division of The Manitowoc Company, Inc in the United States. Manitowoc Cranes produces four brands of cranes and has two service brands, Manitowoc Crane Care and Manitowoc Finance.- History :...
in 1947. Needing a method of moving heavy steel for the wagons, John used his knowledge of hydraulics to develop a rudimentary crane. Dealer interest in John's crane soon lead to the decision to produce the first mobile hydraulic industrial cranes. That decision quickly transformed the company from a manufacturer of farm implements to a world leader in the crane market. In the late 1950s, John's work with Paul K. Shockey developed an all-steel hydraulic extension ladder for use on fire trucks. Within Grove Manufacturing, John oversaw the crane division while Dwight dealt with the farm equipment.
Rapid growth, primarily due to demand for the hydraluc cranes, resulted in the company expanding to over 1,000 employees by 1967. That same year, against John's wishes, Grove Manufacturing was sold to the Walter Kidde Company. Internal strife between the brothers, and possible health issues, caused John to leave the company in 1968.
In 1969, John along with Paul Shockey started Condor Industries and began manufacturing self-propelled, telescoping hydrolic ariel 'cherry-picker' style lifts, primarily for the aircraft maintenance industry {fact}. In 1973, Condor Industries was renamed JLG Industries
JLG Industries
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation Company, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of access equipment...
(JLG for John L. Grove). With innovative products and designs, such as mounting lifts on track-driven frames, locating the crane operators cab on the turret, less expensive truck mounted cranes, and 'scissors' lifts, JLG Industries had over 700 employees and 30 million in sales by the late 1970s{fact}. JLG later became part of Oshkosh Corporation.
By the end of his career, John held over 60 patents.
The John L. Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg...
is named in honor of him.