JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE:OSK] and a leading manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, today announced that Plant Engineering magazine has named the LiftPod® FS60 a 2011 Product of the Year (gold award) in the safety category.

There were more than 100 finalists in 14 categories for the 24th Annual Product of the Year awards. Gold, silver and bronze award winners for each category were chosen by engineers who are Plant Engineering’s print and digital subscribers. Management personnel—those who decide which equipment to purchase for their plants selected the overall Product of the Year.

“We are honored that plant engineers have chosen the LiftPod FS60 as a Product of the Year,” said Randy Marzicola, JLG Industries director of channel development. “We’ve designed the LiftPod FS60 as an alternative to ladders and scaffolding. It helps the operator be more productive while meeting OSHA safety standards.”

The LiftPod FS60 personal portable lift weighs just 130 lbs.  Each of its three components weighs about 50 lbs. and can be assembled in less than 30 seconds. It is ANSI A92.3-2006/CSA B354.1-04 compliant and combines lightweight portability with a secure work platform. It does not require an OSHA-regulated two-man operation because one worker can complete tasks with a 360-degree range of motion in a completely closed-in platform.

The 2011 Product of the Year award winners are listed online and featured in the April 2012 edition of Plant Engineering. The award program’s categories included automation and controls; compressed air; electric motors, drive and controls; environmental health; fluid handling; HVAC; lighting; maintenance software; maintenance tools and equipment; manual material handling; material handling systems; power transmission; productivity and training software and safety. Forty-six winners received their awards at the 2012 Engineering Awards in Manufacturing dinner hosted by Plant Engineering and Control Engineering.