JCB has broken ground on its new plant in north America, with JCB chairman Anthoiny Bamford and Texas governor Greg Abbott attending.
The 67,000 square metre facility, which was announced last October will cost around $500 million, and in simple terms represents the biggest investment in the company’s history.
Artist's impression of the new facility
The plant is being built on a 400 acre site in San Antonio, with plenty of room for future expansion, and will be dedicated to producing telehandlers and aerial work platforms. Employment at the facility, which is scheduled to open in 2026, is expected to reach around 1,500 within the first five years.
Chairman Anthony Bamford said: “Construction equipment manufacturers sell more than 300,000 machines a year in north America, making it the single largest market in the world. JCB has been growing its share of this important market steadily over the past few years and the time is now right to invest in our manufacturing capacity here. JCB really has come a considerable way since we sold our first machine here 60 years ago and it gives me immense pleasure to see how business has grown since then.”
The ground breaking ceremony
(L-R) Adriana Rocha Garcia - City of San Antonio with David Carver of JCB, state representative John Lujan, Alice and Anthony Bamford of JCB, Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott, with Mark Turner of JCB, County commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Richard Fox-Marrs of JCB and Jenna Saucedo-Herrera of SATX
Texas governor Greg Abbott added: “Texas was named Best State for Business for a record breaking 20th year, and I am proud to welcome JCB as the newest business to call our great state home, and I look forward to celebrating JCB’s continuing success as we work together to build a bigger, better Texas for decades to come."
Richard Fox, president of JCB north America said: “Telescopic handlers are JCB’s biggest selling product in north America and it is also our single largest market for access equipment worldwide, and therefore, it makes great sense to build these two ranges here. Texas is an obvious choice for our new North American manufacturing facility, not least because the state is the largest consumer of construction equipment in the USA. San Antonio is also the logical choice as a location for our new factory because of its central location, proximity to the supply chain and great local labour force.”
JCB sold its first machine in north America in 1964 and opened its first factory in 2001 in Savannah, Georgia, which now employs 1,000 people. JCB, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year, employs 19,000 worldwide across 22 facilities, 11 in the UK, seven in India and others in Brazil and China.
Comments