JCB will expand production in India through a GBP62 million (USD99.7 million) investment in a new construction equipment plant on a 70 ac. (28 ha) site in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The manufacturer announced the signing of a land purchase agreement for the Jaipur plant as it celebrated its 67th birthday last week.

The total investment for the new manufacturing facility, which will be JCB's fourth factory in India, will be about GBP62 million (USD99.7 million). JCB India's other factories are in Ballabgarh, Haryana near New Delhi and in Pune.

JCB first entered India in 1979 by setting up a backhoe loader manufacturing operation in Ballabgarh which, after substantial investment, is now the largest backhoe loader factory in the world.

JCB India also set up two new factories in Pune to manufacture components, tracked excavators, wheeled loading shovels and compaction equipment.
JCB uses its manufacturing footprint in India to export to Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

JCB spokesman Nigel Chell tells Forkliftaction.com News "no decision has yet been made on what products will be manufactured in Jaipur".

JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, who also celebrated his 67th birthday last week, says he is delighted that JCB is celebrating its birthday by planning for the future.

"India is our single most important market and the long-term prospects for infrastructure growth are substantial. Our strategy is to carry on investing in India to keep pace with future economic growth and strengthen its position as market leader for construction equipment. Jaipur is a perfect location for the next phase of our expansion, especially with the opportunity to export more products," Bamford explains.

Rajasthan is the largest state in India and its strategic location, transport and energy infrastructure make it an attractive place for overseas investors.

JCB India CEO Vipin Sondhi says: "This is a new chapter in the JCB India growth story. After a decade of continued investment by the JCB Group in Ballabgarh and Pune, I'm thrilled that Jaipur will become home to the company's next world-class manufacturing facility."

JCB India Limited, headquartered in Ballabgarh, is a fully owned subsidiary of JC Bamford Excavators Limited, UK. The company offers 21 different machines in seven product types like backhoe loaders, wheeled loading shovels, tracked excavators, vibratory compactors, telehandlers, skid steer loaders and pick and carry cranes.

A network of 56 dealers and over 450 outlets throughout the country support JCB India.