The new headquarters for JCB Germany is slated to open in 2015.

JCB is making its largest single investment in JCB Germany as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary.

A new EUR25 million (USD32 million) headquarters for JCB Germany will be built on a site which is double the size of its existing facility in Cologne. Work on the new building will start later this year, and the new headquarters is slated to open in 2015 as JCB Germany marks the anniversary of its foundation in 1965.

Chairman Lord Bamford says that Germany is Europe's biggest single construction equipment market and the fifth-largest in the world, and that JCB continues to make good progress in Germany with both construction and agricultural machinery sales.

"We have big ambitions to grow our business globally over the next few years and Germany will play an important role in delivering that growth. The time is now right to invest heavily in this vitally important market," Bamford explains.

JCB Germany managing director Frank Zander adds: "This is fantastic news for the German market and JCB's customers. It will enable us to take the sales and service support we offer in Germany to completely new levels and help ensure we grow the business."

The new German HQ, which will cover over 51,000 sqm (548,949 sqft.), will remain in Cologne and will be located at the junction of the A1 and A4 to the west of the city. It will have modern office space and training and workshop facilities for JCB Germany's dealer network. The new facility will also host customer visits and include a showroom displaying new JCB models.