JCB shrinks product in order to grow sales
A SHRUNK-DOWN version of the excavator that made Staffordshire-based JCB famous around the world has received its official launch.
The backhoe loader was invented by JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford in 1953 and more than 600,000 have since been produced.
However, modern construction sites are becoming increasing compact and congested and as a consequence, the manufacturer’s customers have been demanding a much smaller machine.
Now, following a multi-million pound investment, JCB has answered the rallying call with a hi-tech 3CX backhoe loader that is 35% smaller than the standard model – but one that retains all the power and speed of its bigger brother.
The first of the new machines have started rolling off the production lines at the company’s Rocester base.
With a lot at stake, the company has flown in customers from around the world for the launch.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: “It was the backhoe that built JCB into the company that it is today and made us famous around the world. As a company though you can never stand still; you need to innovate to grow.
“More and more of our customers have been telling us that they need a backhoe loader that is smaller simply because they are operating in congested towns and cities and on narrow streets.
“We have answered their call by engineering the 3CX Compact backhoe from the ground up. As the company approaches its 70th anniversary next month, I’m confident that this innovative machine will win us more and more customers around the world.”
The 3CX Compact is just 1.9 metres wide and 2.4 metres high and has a turning circle of just 5.8 metres, enabling it to turn in a single carriageway. It’s capable of travelling at 40kph and comes with air conditioning and power steering.
