Ohio Officials Celebrate Gradall Industries’ 80th Anniversary

Federal, state and local officials are recognizing New Philadelphia, Ohio-based Gradall Industries Inc. for the company’s 80th year of manufacturing hydraulic excavators in Ohio.

First introduced in 1947 in Cleveland by the Warner & Swasey Co., Gradall excavator manufacturing was moved to New Philadelphia in 1950 when production outgrew the Cleveland facility. Since then, all manufacturing, engineering, sales, parts and product support have been located at New Philadelphia. Here, versatile Gradall excavators underwent continual refinement.

When other excavators were using cables for boom movements, Gradall was the first to use hydraulic power. Since then, every Gradall ever produced came out of the New Philadelphia facility. This facility now employs about 400 people. As a result, it has become a leading corporate citizen in Tuscarawas County. Today, Gradall is the only excavator produced only in the United States.

Scott Robinson, president of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, presented a collection of 80th anniversary proclamations to Mike Popovich, president of Gradall Industries.

“This is a tribute to the scores of people who have worked at Gradall over the years – many of them second and third-generation members of their families, who were proud to produce our machines and support their families while doing it,” says Popovich.

Proclamations were from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, State Rep. Jodi Salvo, Ohio Atty. Gen. Dave Yost and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Earlier, proclamations were issued by Tuscarawas County commissioners and New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day.

“Gradall has been a wonderful corporate citizen in Tuscarawas County, supporting good causes year after year, and we’re more than pleased to salute the company during its 80th year as we look forward to many, many more,” said Robinson.

In addition to excavators, over the years the Gradall plant has produced Gradall telescopic boom telehandlers and vertical mast hoist machines. The company has also built specialized Gradall models for mines, railroads and steel and aluminum mills. More recently, it has produced Vacall vacuum and jetting machines.

Today, Gradall is wholly owned by the Alamo Group of Seguin, Texas.

SOURCE – Gradall Industries

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