JCB Announces Plan to Invest $245 Million and Create 2,500 Jobs in UK by 2018 | Construction News

JCB plans to expand its operations in Staffordshire, UK, investing $245 million and creating an additional 2,500 jobs by 2018, adding a further 7,500 jobs in the UK supply chain. Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman, hosted the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. George Osborne at JCB’s backhoe loader factory in Rocester, Staffordshire to mark the announcement and confirm the investment plans as the beginning of a broader, global growth initiative.

“Our plan to create 2,500 high-quality manufacturing jobs locally is clear evidence of the important link between infrastructure improvement and job creation. The Chancellor’s decision to invest in the regional infrastructure means JCB can continue to invest locally, which is good for Staffordshire and good for Britain, especially given the wider benefits to our UK supply chain.”

Subject to planning consent from relevant Staffordshire authorities, the $245 million plans represent the single largest investment in JCB’s history. They include:

• A new, purpose-built 350,000-sq.-ft. factory for JCB cab systems in Beamhurst, near Uttoxeter, to replace the current smaller facility in Rugeley. It will also enable JCB to in-source production of cabs currently made by third-party suppliers in Europe. 
• Expansion of JCB’s production operations in Rocester with an additional 126,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space to increase hydraulic cylinder production.
• A new, purpose-built 220,000-sq-ft.-factory on the Harewood Industrial Estate in Cheadle, Staffordshire to expand existing JCB earthmovers and JCB compact products operations, allowing JCB utility products to relocate to this site from the current smaller factory elsewhere in the town.
• Relocation of the existing JCB finance and JCB insurance offices in Rocester to new office accommodation at nearby Harper Meadow in Denstone.
• A new in-house training facility for JCB staff, to be run in conjunction with key universities to support apprenticeship and graduate training programs.

The projected growth in machine output from Staffordshire factories will be supported by an increase in production of components from factories elsewhere in the UK, including engines from JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire,  and axles and gearboxes from JCB Transmissions in Wrexham, North Wales.

Osborne concluded his visit with a short speech to employees, to congratulate them on reaching a key milestone in JCB’s history by selling its one-millionth machine during 2013. Over half a million of these were backhoe loaders, an innovative machine range that celebrates its 60^th birthday this year.