05.12.2006

JCB plans new factory

At a Queen's Award ceremony yesterday, JCB managing director and CEO, John Patterson revealed brief details of the company's future growth.

“Central to our plan of growing this business is a move away from this historic site in Uttoxeter to a purpose-built factory next to the JCB World Parts Centre on the A50," he said.

"That will enable us to expand an already successful company and bring with it more employment opportunities for Uttoxeter. The move rests on gaining planning permission for a high-quality development which, in the words of our chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, will leave a legacy for the town of Uttoxeter to be proud of."

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John Patterson of JCB (L) receives the Queen's Award from James Hawley,Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire

Patterson received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category yesterday from the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr James Hawley, the Queen’s representative in the county, in front of the factory’s 500-strong workforce.

JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter manufactures a range of tracked and wheeled excavators weighing up to 46 tonnes.

The award recognises the substantial growth in overseas sales in new and existing markets. JCB says that exports increased by 87 percent between 2003 and 2005.

The company has received 18 Queen’s Awards since 1969.