JCB to create 2,500 jobs following £150m investment

The five-year investment plans are part of a wider global growth strategy to expand sales and increase market share.

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.

The £150m plans, which are subject to planning consent, represent the single largest investment in JCB’s history. They 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; and a new in-house training facility for JCB staff, to be run in conjunction with universities to support apprenticeship and graduate training programmes.

Today’s announcement follows chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement in which government made a commitment to a major road improvement project on the A50 trunk road in Uttoxeter.

In a statement, JCB chairman 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.

‘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.’