The Industrial Agents Society, West Midlands Branch organised a CPD technical visit to the JCB’s Global HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire on 17th October 2014.
22 members attended which included a guided tour of the JCB factory followed by lunch.
Jonathan Robinson of DTZ and IAS Chairman commented: “The guided tour of JCB’s iconic global headquarters proved to be extremely interesting. We were all touched and also very proud to see what a Midlands family owned company of 68 years old has achieved. Their research and development and sheer innovation has enabled them to push boundaries and now produce a range of over 300 different machines employing around 11,000 people and selling products in 150 Countries. Their products ranged from the Traditional JCB to the Telescopic handler, Compaction machines to excavators and Fast Tracks to Ultra protect Military defence products.
“We had the opportunity to see the shop floor and learn more about JCB’s history and current operations, aswell expansion plans for the future. Some of the JCB milestones that stood out for me were how in 2006 2 JCB 444 diesel engines powered the JCB Diesel Max to achieve the world land speed record and how in 2013 JCB built their Millionth JCB which was a 22 tonne JS220 tracked excavator in Shimmering Silver.”
Founded in 1945 by Joseph Cyril Bamford, after whom it was named, JCB manufactures equipment for construction, demolition and agriculture and is the world third’s largest manufacturer of such equipment. It has 22 factories across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America and its products are sold in over 150 countries.
Last year, JCB announced plans to invest £150 million to expand its operations in Staffordshire and create 2,500 jobs by 2018.