New JCB World Logistics plant opens
Nearly 100 new jobs created in Staffordshire as new warehouse facility opens for business
JCB have officially opened the company’s newest facility in Staffordshire, which has created almost 100 new jobs in just six months. JCB World Logistics took over the former 383,000 sq ft Blue Planet warehouse in Newcastle-under-Lyme in July 2013 and since then almost 80 new warehouse and office staff and 20 drivers have been recruited. In the next two years employment levels are expected to triple to more than 300 as the facility becomes fully operational.
Unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the premises earlier this week, JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said: ‘Staffordshire is where JCB’s business started almost 70 years ago and Staffordshire is where our heart is, so I’m delighted that the opening of JCB World Logistics is bringing more employment opportunities to the county.’
JCB World Logistics, which is run by global logistics partner DHL, is the central receiving hub for supplier-bought components used in the manufacture and assembly of JCB machines. The company’s move to the premises saw the consolidation of seven warehouses into one and, as a result, will see road mileage reduced by 20% per year. The new facility holds almost 25,000 pallets of components.
Situated on land adjacent to the A500, JCB World Logistics is one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly buildings with rainwater harvesting facilities, optimized use of natural light and the deployment of sustainable and recyclable materials in the construction and fitting out of the building.
The use of natural light has been so effective that JCB World Logistics have operated for two months without electric lights being switched on during the daytime. In addition, the building is so well insulated that the biomass boiler installed at the site has also not had to be switched on yet this winter.
JCB have agreed a long-term lease for the building and have been conditionally offered £2.9 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to support job creation at the site and to provide training programmes. Newcastle Borough Council supported the company’s move to the site and JCB have also signed an option to purchase an adjacent 7.7 acres of land from the local authority to facilitate future expansion.
