JCB will today announce plans to invest £150 million to expand its operations in Staffordshire and create an additional 2,500 jobs by 2018.
To mark today’s announcement, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne will visit JCB’s backhoe loader factory in Rocester, Staffordshire. His visit comes the day after he delivered his Autumn Statement.
Osborne will be hosted by JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford, who will confirm the five-year investment plans for Staffordshire as part of a wider global growth strategy to expand sales and increase market share.
The £150 million plans, which represent the single largest investment in JCB’s history, include a 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.
Lord Bamford said: “The Chancellor’s announcement of the major A50 road improvement project is good news for businesses in this area. It allows companies like JCB to plan ahead with confidence, knowing that the road network will not constrain business growth and future investment.”
He added: “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.”
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.
During his visit to JCB, The Chancellor will meet with senior company executives and will be introduced to employees in the backhoe loader factory, including welding operatives in the manufacturing cells and assembly line operatives on the production line where the iconic yellow JCB diggers are assembled.
The Chancellor will also meet five apprentices who recently joined JCB; Adam Varley (20) from Stoke-on-Trent; Leila Worsey (17) from Hilton, Derbyshire; Sam Tooth (21) from Kingsley, Staffordshire; Jack McDonagh (17) from Branston, Staffordshire; Chris Hoye (28) from Newcastle-under-Lyme. Adam, Leila and Jack have joined JCB from the acclaimed JCB Academy for 14–19 year olds, located in nearby Rocester.
Osborne will conclude 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, which is an innovative machine range that celebrates its 60th birthday this year.
