Prince William greeting school children at JCB's world headquarters in Rocester.

Prince William visited JCB's world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, last Friday to help the company celebrate the production of its 750,000th machine.

Students from local schools in Rocester and Denstone waved flags and greeted the royal visitor on his arrival.

He was then introduced to JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, his son Jo Bamford, daughter Alice Bamford, JCB CEO Matthew Taylor and the managing director of JCB's backhoe loader division, Paul Grys.

The Prince was shown JCB's first product, a screw-tipping farm trailer, made by the company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford, which stands at the company's reception area.

Then on a tour of the shopfloor, Prince William visited the fabrication area where components for JCB machines are made. He was introduced to the welding team leader, Mick Grantham, 53, of Uttoxeter, who has worked for JCB for nearly 30 years.

Next, Prince William was shown the JCB High Mobility Engineering Excavator (HMEE). Last year, the British Army invested GBP7 million (USD10.2 million) in a fleet of HMEEs for deployment in Afghanistan. JCB claims the HMEE is the world's fastest backhoe loader, travelling at speeds of up to 60mph (97kmh) on paved roads and across open country.

After touring the offices, Prince William met specially invited employees in JCB's main reception where the production of JCB's 750,000th product, a 3CX backhoe loader, was officially marked.

Anthony Bamford thanked the Prince for "showing support in these tough times to JCB, its employees and to British industry".

JCB has been manufacturing Loadall telehandlers since 1977. In 2006, JCB concluded GBP9 million (USD17.9 million) in investment to expand global manufacturing of its telehandlers. They are produced at its world headquarters in Rocester and also at its North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.