JLG Publishes Paper Addressing Working at Height Trends

Oshkosh Corp. subsidiary JLG Industries Inc. has released a new industry whitepaper examining trends in access equipment selection on modern construction jobsites.

Titled ‘Five Trends Reshaping Work at Height,’ the whitepaper says that labor shortages, specialized machinery applications, and technological advancements are continuously reshaping jobsites. Not only that, but these factors influence contractor, rental firm, and equipment owner mindsets in terms of working at height with MEWPs and telehandlers.

These factors can change how owners and operators not only evaluate their current equipment, but prepare for future projects, JLG officials say.

“Today’s job sites continue to evolve, driven by changing project requirements, workforce challenges and advances in technology,” says Brent Miller, JLG’s VP of sales administration and marketing for Latin America. “These trends reflect what we’re hearing from customers across the industry and highlight the growing importance of matching the right equipment and technologies to the application.”

Connected, cooperative jobsites

According to the whitepaper, the Associated Builders and Contractors says the construction industry needed to add an estimated 439,000 workers last year in order to meet anticipatory demand. Additionally, a recent survey by the Associated General Contractors of America found that 88% of contractors have unfilled craft positions.

JLG representatives say these statistics “underscore the ongoing challenge of finding skilled labor while projects continue to grow in size and complexity.” Work environments are also continuing down the path of specialization, connecting contractors to their technology and their jobsites in a way that is impossible to separate.

“Whether you’re managing a rental fleet, planning equipment for a complex project or evaluating new technologies, understanding the trends shaping today’s job sites can help support better equipment decisions,” Miller says. “Customers can apply practical insights across a wide range of industries and applications while preparing for the evolving demands of work at height.”

Rather than examining each of these industry trends on an individual level, the new JLG whitepaper demonstrates how each of the modern trends intersect, the firm says. The paper explores workforce challenges in 2026, and how connected workflows continue to influence equipment selection.

The new JLG whitepaper is available to download now on the company’s website.