 In April, every JCB backhoe loader made in India will be powered by a JCB engine that meets local emissions legislation. |
JCB is undertaking a series of major investments and expansions to exploit the growth in the global market as the company reported a 48% increase in revenue for 2010.
Company chairman Sir Anthony Bamford says JCB's 2010 revenue was USD3.2 billion, 48% higher than 2009's USD2.2 billion. In 2010, JCB sold 51,600 machines, compared to 36,000 the previous year.
Bamford says JCB strengthened its position as the world number one for backhoe loaders and Loadall telehandlers in 2010. JCB is building a USD100 million factory in Brazil, which will produce excavators and backhoe loaders. "One thing that sets us apart as a privately owned, family company is that we take a long-term view and can make decisions quickly. With markets growing so rapidly, the time is now right for us to enhance our already strong presence in Brazil."
JCB India has also invested USD30 million in a new engine plant in Ballbargh.
"Similarly in India, a successful market for JCB for more than 30 years, we have invested in an engine production facility which means our Indian customers now benefit fully from the performance and reliability of JCB's world-beating engine for the first time," Bamford says.
JCB sold over 21,000 machines in India in 2010. The construction of the new engine factory means it is the first time JCB has produced its Dieselmax engines outside of its UK plant in Derbyshire. The engines are being used in Indian-built JCB products and from April, every JCB backhoe loader made in India will be powered by a JCB engine to meet local emissions legislation.
The 35,000 sqft (32,000 sqm) factory in Brazil is being built in Sorocaba. JCB has been building backhoes in Brazil since 2001 and excavators since 2010.
JCB has also invested USD30 million in the expansion of its global service back-up. It is about to open its 16th parts warehouse in Prague to serve Central Europe and Poland. This follows the opening of a parts warehouse in Dubai to serve the Middle East and North-East Africa and a new facility in Fontana, California to serve dealers and customers on the west coast.
At the Conexpo construction show in Las Vegas, US last week, JCB launched 13 new products including the JCB 950 rough-terrain forklift and the JCB 512-56 Loadall telehandler for the North American market.