Going local: JLG president on how tariffs are speeding up regional production plans
20 May 2025
Mahesh Narang only took over as president of the world’s largest access equipment manufacturer JLG at the end of 2023. Since then, a lot has happened. Last year the European Commission hit the company’s imports into the EU with an anti-dumping duty of more than 20%, adding to US import taxes on Chinese MEWPs introduced in 2021.
Then, this year, the company was impacted by the economic upheaval surrounding US President Donald Trump’s proposals to introduce tariffs on goods imported to the US from around the world as well as separate steel and aluminium tariffs.
With all this in mind, Access, Lift & Handlers editor, Lindsey Anderson, sat down with Narang to find out how the company is navigating the new economic realities.
Mahesh Narang at this year’s Bauma exhibition. Photo: KHL
RB: What major challenges are you facing in 2025?
Mahesh Narang: All key metrics look healthy, with the only major uncertainty being the outcome of tariffs. That’s the one unknown. Otherwise, customers are generally optimistic about the year ahead. It may not match last year, but it should…
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
