JCB marks eight decades with a day off for 19,000 staff, 80 limited-edition machines, and a £100 million UK investment
The CEA would like to wish a very happy 80th birthday to our long-standing member, JCB.
To mark this impressive milestone, JCB is recognising the hard work and dedication of its global workforce with an extra day’s holiday for more than 19,000 employees across 22 plants worldwide. In the UK alone, over 8,000 employees based at JCB’s Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham facilities will enjoy a well-earned long weekend on Friday, 24th October.
It was 80 years ago, on 23rd October 1945, that the late Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE founded JCB in a 12 ft x 15 ft lock-up garage in Uttoxeter – on the very same day his son Anthony, now Lord Bamford, was born. Since taking over as Chairman in 1975, Lord Bamford has guided the company’s growth from a small British manufacturer into a global name, producing more than 350 different products for the construction and agricultural industries.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lord Bamford said:
“JCB would be nowhere if it wasn’t for the efforts of our employees around the world, and this extra day’s holiday is a small token of my family’s gratitude as we mark our 80th birthday.”
80 special machines for 80 years of JCB innovation
To celebrate this major milestone, JCB has unveiled 80 striking limited-edition machines — a fitting tribute to eight decades of engineering excellence and innovation.
The line-up includes 40 of JCB’s iconic 4CX Pro Dual Drive backhoe loaders and 40 542-70 AGRIPRO Loadalls, each finished in satin black with chrome decals and JCB yellow highlights. The machines also feature bespoke touches such as 80th edition embroidered seats, carpets, decals, and plaques.
These top-of-the-range models are now rolling down the production lines at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire.
A JCB spokesperson said:
“80 years is a significant milestone, and we are delighted to celebrate it with the production of 80 limited edition machines.”
£100 million UK investment unveiled
As part of its 80th birthday celebrations, JCB has also announced a £100 million investment in new, ultra-modern manufacturing facilities at its global headquarters in Rocester.
The project includes a £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a full modernisation of the shop floor, featuring new machining centres, friction welders, and cylinder boring machines. This investment reinforces JCB’s long-term commitment to British manufacturing and will ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation.
Lord Bamford said:
“Basing JCB in the UK makes business sense, just as it has always made business sense. The work ethic in our country remains strong – especially in the Midlands, with its deep engineering heritage.
It makes perfect sense to invest heavily in our British factories, and the £100 million we are investing now will put us at the forefront of our industry. The UK is our home.”
Renowned inventor and entrepreneur Sir James Dyson also paid tribute to Lord Bamford, saying:
“Anthony Bamford is a wonderful example to us all for his entrepreneurship, his engineering, design, and manufacturing. He has built what was a small British manufacturing company into one which is a true global success story – and one we are all very proud of.”
From all of us at the CEA – congratulations to JCB on 80 remarkable years of innovation, investment, and dedication to its people and the industry.
From all of us at the CEA – happy birthday to JCB, and congratulations on 80 years of innovation, excellence, and continued success.