Gradall’s Jim Grant Tell’s The Unique Story

Via Times Reporter

The book, published by JHG Partners LLC, is 256 pages in softbound 9-by-12-inch glossy, color format. Its retail price is $45, and it can be found at DHS Diecast

Grant retired in 2005 from Gradall where he served as the director of product support. During his 35 years with Warner & Swasey Co. and Gradall, he held numerous management positions, responsible for human resources and customer service.

“As a longtime Gradall employee, Jim Grant is uniquely qualified to tell the Gradall story,” Haberman said. “Gradall’s history in Tuscarawas County, dating back to the early 1950s, is a study in perseverance through ownership changes, economic swings, and constant product development. The real story of Gradall is about the generations of workers who have helped Gradall not only survive, but prosper. Jim’s book details the history of Gradall through these many decades and is a testament to the work ethic and dedication of Tuscarawas Valley workers.”

In promotional material for the book, Grant said it “traces the evolution of the Gradall from the early Sloper, ‘Material Moving Device,’ to the current product line of agile, versatile, and powerful hydraulic excavators and industrial maintenance machines. The signature of the Gradall, the hydraulic telescopic triangular boom, symbolizes the innovation of Gradall Industries Inc. with its strong market presence and quality products. To many people, a telescopic boom hydraulic excavator is recognized and referred to as a Gradall; thanks to the dominance of the classic truck-mounted telescopic boom hydraulic excavator that was developed by brothers Ray and Koop Ferwerda with their FWF Corp. in Beachwood, O., in 1944.

“When the Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland acquired the patents rights in 1946 and combined the Gradall with its global reputation as a leading industrial machinery manufacturer, the Gradall Division was formed, establishing the Gradall as the nucleus of a future construction equipment product line. Since that time, Gradall Industries has evolved into a recognized global leader credited with the design and manufacture of hydraulic construction and industrial maintenance machinery.”

Grant’s book draws heavily on the experiences of former employees and distributor personnel. He said it is a “fascinating story of a pioneering American company, its charismatic leaders, its innovative products, and its unique global market presence in construction, irrigation, transportation and steel production.”

The book includes more than 250 photographs and 22 illustrations and charts.

More information over at the Times Reporter

Tags: Gradall, Gradall Book, Gradall Publication, The Gradall book