JCB has broken ground on the largest investment in the company's history, a $500 million factory to be constructed in San Antonio, Texas
The 720,000-square-foot factory will be JCB's second largest plant behind its world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England. It is expected to create 1,500 new jobs over five years. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production expected to start in 2026. There will be capacity to expand and add other product lines in the future.
An official groundbreaking featured Alice Bamford, daughter of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, turning the first shovelful of dirt on the property.
"Construction equipment manufacturers sell more than 300,000 machines every year in North America, making it the single largest market in the world. JCB has been growing its share of this important market steadily over the past few years and the time is now right to invest in our manufacturing capacity in North America, where we already have one factory," said Lord Bamford. "JCB really has come a considerable way since we sold our first machine here 60 years ago and it gives me immense pleasure to see how our business has grown in North America. Today really is a milestone day in the history of our family company."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the investment would benefit the San Antonio region with new capital investment and high-paying jobs.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: "JCB's business in North America has made tremendous progress in the past few years and the opportunity for growth here is vast. This record investment gives us a fantastic opportunity to build on our success and we look forward to the completion of this great new facility," said JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald.
The first JCB machine sold into North America in 1964, and the company opened its first manufacturing plant in the U.S. in 2001. The Savannah, Georgia plant employs 1,000 people. JCB employs 19,000 people globally and has 22 factories around the world.
Richard Fox-Marrs, President & CEO of JCB North America, said: "The Loadall telescopic handler is JCB's biggest selling product in North America and it is also the single largest market for aerial access equipment worldwide, and therefore, it makes great sense to build these two ranges here," noted Richard Fox-Marrs, President and CEO of JCB North America. "Texas is an obvious choice for our new North American manufacturing facility, not least because the state is the largest consumer of construction equipment in the USA. San Antonio is also the logical choice as a location for our new factory because of its central location, proximity to the supply chain, and great local labour force. We are really excited about JCB's new San Antonio factory and for the future of our business in North America."
