JCB prepares for growth with 400 new jobs
STAFFORDSHIRE excavator manufacturer JCB has revealed plans to create hundreds of new jobs over the next few years as the firm grows to meet rising demand for its iconic products.
The Rocester company has just enjoyed its best ever sales figures, fuelled by growing demand across the globe, especially in emerging markets such as Russia where sales have risen 165%.
The company increased production facilities prior to the recession so it was capable of producing around 200,000 machines a year.
However, with the onset of recession and the global slowdown in the construction and mining sectors, demand tailed off and the firm was forced to cut back and reduce it its workforce.
It is now looking to recruit new engineers and is even taking on staff it laid off prior to the recession as they already have the skills necessary for the job.
The company last month revealed a 48% rise in full year revenues for 2010 as sales of its products grew around the world.
The firm, one of the UK’s foremost exporters, said one of its major growth projects was the development of a £60m new factory in Brazil, manufacturing excavators and backhoe loaders.
It is also investing £19m in a new engine plant in Ballabgarh, near Delhi. The new plant is the first time JCB has produced its Dieselmax engines outside the UK.
The engines are being used in Indian-built JCB products and from now on, every JCB backhoe loader made in India will be powered by a JCB engine to meet new local emissions legislation.
Revenue for the firm increased to £2bn in 2010 compared with 2009’s £1.35bn. In volume terms, the sales equate to 51,600 machines last year against 36,000 in 2009.
