Building Better Together: How ABC and JLG Are Shaping the Future Together

Strategic partnerships are vital in advancing safety, innovation and workforce development in today’s construction landscape. One such collaboration is between Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and JLG.

Since 2018, their alliance has brought high-value training programs, cutting-edge technology insights and practical industry resources directly to ABC members and chapters nationwide. In a recent interview, Stephanie Schmidt Lehmann, ABC’s Executive Vice President of Industry Relations and Member Value, shares how this partnership drives meaningful change across the construction sector — from enhancing jobsite safety to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.

What were the main drivers or goals behind forming a strategic partnership between ABC and JLG?

For JLG, a key piece was increasing their brand recognition among contractors and hearing directly from the end-users about their experiences with aerial equipment. ABC was a channel to the voice of those customers for JLG, so they could gain more insight from their user base. Attending ABC events and talking with industry leaders has provided JLG with a window into the end-user to a degree that did not exist before.

For ABC, the main driver of partnering with JLG was bringing resources and expertise from an industry leader to ABC members, including helping to train employees on how to properly use aerial equipment and comply with ANSI standards. ABC’s mission is to provide value to members and having JLG as a strategic partner meets that goal.

How has this partnership benefited both ABC and JLG?

JLG’s Elevated Trade Education program, currently in use at several chapters, will have long-term benefits for ABC members and chapters. Safety is a critical issue for ABC. We want all of our members to have industry-leading safety systems in place so construction workers can all go home safely at the end of every workday.

JLG’s Elevated Trade Education program furthers that goal through its MEWP and Telehandler Operator Training programs. Previously, aerial equipment operators would have to go to McConnellsburg to be trained on JLG equipment. Through this program, staff at ABC chapters can become certified trainers at the McConnellsburg, PA, facility and then return to their respective chapters to hold classes and train members locally. JLG’s training program can scale up dramatically by using ABC chapters as training centers throughout the country. And it benefits members by bringing the training to them locally through their trusted ABC chapter, so they can be more competitive and efficient in their business operations. ABC’s Pelican and New Jersey chapters launched these training programs in 2024, and the goal is to add five more chapters to the program in 2025.

Also, when the ANSI standards surrounding MEWP changed several years ago, ABC and JLG held a series of webinars to ensure that members knew about the changes and complied with the new standards.

In addition to the Elevated Trade program, JLG has also been part of ABC’s National Craft Championships competition at ABC’s annual convention. NCC is the preeminent craft competition in the United States, with nearly 200 of the nation’s best craft professionals all vying for top honors in 15 competitions with skills on display in 11 crafts. JLG’s low-level access equipment has been part of the competition for five years, bringing wide exposure to JLG.

The ABC Construction Technology and Innovation Committee visited JLG’s Innovation Center in Hagerstown in September 2024 to see the technology changes that JLG is bringing to the marketplace firsthand. The plan is to bring more groups to the Innovation Center in the future.

Lately, there is a strong focus on ethical manufacturing and the global supply chain in construction, which both parties believe are important challenges facing the industry. JLG has written articles for ABC on these topics and participated on an ABC panel to discuss the need for fair and open competition so that contractors have top-notch, reliable equipment where and when needed.

How does technology play a role in this partnership?

ABC members need to be knowledgeable about industry trends in innovation and technology in order to compete successfully in this marketplace. That’s why our Technology and Innovation Committee's visit to the company’s facilities in Hagerstown, MD, last fall was so important. We know that JLG is making important strides in virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and we want ABC members to be aware of these advancements. We hold regular calls with JLG in part to make sure members know about these changes and how they can be incorporated in their business.

How will this partnership evolve over the next 3-5 years?

I can’t wait to see the Elevated Trade program expand to dozens of chapters over the next few years. We can continue to collaborate with JLG in many areas to improve the industry, including safety, training, advocacy and technology. Our goals align: We want to improve safety in the industry and enhance operations through the equipment and technology contractors use on the jobsite. We are just getting started.

Paving the Path Forward

As the construction industry continues to evolve, the partnership between ABC and JLG stands out as a model for how collaboration can drive tangible value at every level, from individual craft professionals to national chapters. Combining ABC’s expansive member network with JLG’s technical expertise and commitment to safety and innovation, this alliance is helping shape a more skilled, informed and future-ready workforce.

With ongoing investments in training, technology and ethical practices, ABC and JLG are meeting today’s challenges and building a stronger foundation for the industry’s future.

Learn more about JLG’s strategic partnership with ABC at ABC.org/Membership/Strategic-Partners/JLG.