Inside Innovation: Gravely’s Atlas JSV

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After spending time understanding landscape contractors’ work environments, Bill Engler, director of sales for Gravely Commercial, explains how the company developed the Atlas JSV and how he’s using his understanding of contractors to market the product.

Please describe your involvement with the development of the Atlas JSV.
I am the director of sales for Gravely Commercial and was brought into the project to develop a marketing launch plan to introduce the product to the market. I have been working for Ariens for six years in a new business development capacity. The needs of a job site was something of which I gained a clear understanding as I have met with and spent time with landscape contractors throughout the U.S.

PHOTO: GRAVELY

Briefly, provide a timeline of the unit’s development.
Development plans began on the JSV with our past experience and involvement in the UTV category. We understood that a market exists for a job site-specific vehicle that fits the needs of the contractor. We made the decision to cease production of our current UTV and partner with an outside OEM that could bring their expertise and our knowledge of the needs of the customer together to develop the ultimate work vehicle. Our product development and engineering team worked alongside the Polaris team and developed the plans for a unique vehicle meeting the needs of the professional landscape contractor. This continued with a synergistic approach between our two companies that lead to a successful launch of the Gravely Atlas JSV on Sept. 22, 2014.

With so many UTVs and similar vehicles in the market, why yet another work-site vehicle?
And what’s behind the “JSV” designation? Through our experience with our previous UTV, our customers were telling us they needed a vehicle to hold up to the rigors of a landscape contractor. That led us to perform market study groups all over the country. We learned there are many vehicles that can do work, but they are also trying to be everything to everyone. No one had a vehicle designed and targeted to the job site.

Please explain the role of Polaris in the development of the Atlas JSV.
Polaris’ role in the development of this project was to guide us in what is possible with the technology they have proven over time. Once we had the concept of the ultimate job site machine, they used a combination of technology they have developed over multiple platforms to bring together a unique machine that is now the Gravely Atlas JSV.

Where is the unit manufactured?
The Polaris Co. manufactures the vehicle at its facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Share the technological features of the Atlas JSV and the benefits of these features that make the Atlas JSV unique in the contractor market?
The Atlas MX-18 JobBox sets it apart. The 48.2-inch-by-57- inch-by-11.4-inch box can accommodate a standard 48-inch-by-40-inch pallet with the tailgate closed and has a capacity of 1,250 pounds. The machine also has a 1,900-pound payload and 2,000-pound towing capacity.

The Atlas JSV has a rugged exterior look with dual headlights. The interior provides ample seating room for three across and storage under seats and on the dash.