JCB break ground at new US$500 million North American factory
Construction work on company’s second-largest factory in the world factory begins in San Antonio, Texas
WORK began yesterday (4 June) on a new US$500 million JCB factory in North America – the biggest-ever investment in the company’s history. The start of construction was signalled at an official ground-breaking ceremony at the site in San Antonio, Texas, where Alice Bamford, daughter of company chairman Anthony Bamford, cut the first sod of earth.
Work on the 67,000m2 factory is under way on a 400-acre site and will create 1,500 new jobs over five years. It will be the company’s second largest plant, rivalled only by the manufacturer’s World HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire, UK. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production scheduled to start in 2026. The factory will also have the capacity to expand into the manufacture of other products in the future.
Chairman Lord Bamford said: ‘Construction equipment manufacturers sell more than 300,000 machines every year in North America, making it the single largest market in the world. JCB have been growing their share of this important market steadily over the past few years and the time is now right to invest in our manufacturing capacity in North America, where we already have one factory.
‘JCB really have come a considerable way since we sold our first machine here 60 years ago and it gives me immense pleasure to see how our business has grown in North America. Today really is a milestone day in the history of our family company.’
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said: ‘Texas was this year named as The 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. Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in JCB’s journey that will create 1,500 good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans in Bexar County and bring hundreds of millions of new capital investment to San Antonio and beyond. ‘Made in Texas’ is truly a powerful global brand, and I look forward to celebrating JCB’s continuing success as we work together to build a bigger, better Texas for decades to come.’
JCB chief executive officer Graeme Macdonald said: ‘JCB’s business in North America has made tremendous progress in the past few years and the opportunity for growth here is vast. This record investment gives us a fantastic opportunity to build on our success and we look forward to the completion of this great new facility.’
Richard Fox-Marrs, President and chief executive officer of JCB North America, said: ‘The Loadall telescopic handler is JCB’s biggest selling product in North America and it is also the single largest market for aerial 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 US. 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. We are really excited about JCB’s new San Antonio factory and for the future of our business in North America.’
JCB sold their first machine in North America in 1964 and opened their first manufacturing plant there in 2001, in Savannah, Georgia, which employs 1,000 people. The new facility will manufacture machines for customers specifically in North America.
