JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald unveils a plaque to mark the official opening of JCB World Logistics in Newcastle. Looking on is JCB group property director Alan Thomson and employees at the new facility.

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald officially opened the company's new logistics hub in North Staffordshire on Tuesday, a move that has created nearly 100 new jobs in under six months.

JCB World Logistics took over the former 383,000 sqft. (35,582 sqm) Blue Planet warehouse in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 2003 (Forkliftaction.com News #625). Since then, nearly 80 new warehouse and office staff, and 20 drivers have been employed.

In the next two years, the number of staff at the new logistics hub is expected to triple to over 300 as the facility becomes fully operational.

Macdonald, who unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the premises, said Staffordshire, where JCB's business started almost 70 years ago, is where the firm's heart is; and so he was delighted that the new facility 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 JCB machines. The new facility holds almost 25,000 pallets of components.

The company's move to the premises saw the consolidation of seven warehouses into one.