02.09.2024

MD for Sinoboom telehandlers

Sinoboom has appointed JCB veteran Ian Pratt, 57, as managing director of its new Telescopic Handler Business Unit, based in Changsha, China.

His first major responsibility with the company will involve finalising the three models announced in April, the TH40-14, TH45-18 and the TH50-18R, as well as developing a full line of both fixed frame and 360 degree models, that the company plans to manufacture in China, Europe and North America.

Pratt joins the company after 22 years with JCB, having joined the company in 2002 as general manager of its Hydraulics business unit, after two years in the job he was promoted to managing director of JCB Power Systems. In 2011 he took over as managing director of JCB Earthmovers largely looking after the wheeled loader business. In 2015 he took over as managing director of the global telehandler business. Five years later was given responsibility for global purchasing for JCB excavators, and for the past two years has been group director for the Powertrain division.

He began his career in 1986 as an apprentice with GEC High Voltage Switchgear, leaving after five years for BAE Systems where he was as a graduate design engineer. The following year he took a similar role with aviation and aerospace component manufacturer Doncasters Group and in 1998 became a process manager and then operations director at Hampson Aerospace, before moving to plastic component manufacturer Fusion Group just over two years later, leaving for JCB in 2002.

Chief executive Susan Xu said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the Sinoboom family, Ian brings a wealth of over 30 years industrial experience to Sinoboom, in areas such as product design, manufacturing innovation and market development. He ran what is arguably the industries single largest Telescopic Handler business for more than five years, delivering new products, exceptional market growth and state of the art manufacturing facilities, globally. This experience makes Ian the ideal person to join Sinoboom as we begin our journey, with our Telescopic Handlers range.”

Speaking of his appointment Pratt added: “I am truly, honoured to be joining Sinoboom at this exciting time in their product development programme and to be able to share my experience and lead the team as we continue the development and delivery of a global range of telescopic handlers.