JCB marks 80 years in business with company-wide celebration

JCB's 80th celebration began by stepping back in time to where it all began, with Lord Bamford unveiling a blue heritage plaque on the spot where the original garage stood in High Street, Uttoxeter. 

JCB was founded in a tiny lock-up garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, by Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE on October 23, 1945 — the same day his son Anthony was born. Lord Bamford's father rented the lock-up garage, that had no electricity, for 30 shillings a week. Mr. Bamford stayed at the garage for 18 months until the owner asked him to leave because she didn't approve of working on Sundays. He then moved down the road to a stable block at Crakemarsh, a few miles north of the town.

Unveiling the plaque at Hollydene House, Uttoxeter, Lord Bamford said, "My earliest memory of the business is of me playing in my father's workshop. Other than my time at school and my apprenticeship in France with another company, I've been around ever since."

"We have developed the business and products along the way enormously. Probably one of the greatest pleasures for me has been in developing products with our formidable team of highly qualified engineers," Lord Bamford said. "As we celebrate JCB's 80th birthday, it's wonderful to be back at the spot where it all began and to mark the location with a special blue plaque. I'm delighted that in a small way we can highlight where it all began and reflect on the continuing importance of our home county of Staffordshire." 

Details on JCB's 80th anniversary celebration  

Later, Lord Bamford arrived back at the JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, where he was greeted by more than 3,500 employees lining the Lakeside Works' pathways to pay tribute and to celebrate his and JCB's birthdays. A spectacular procession marked milestones and showcased machines he has introduced since becoming Chairman in 1975. 

The procession starred the first Loadall from 1977, the classic 3CX and the world speed record-breaking JCB GT backhoe, the 1991 Fastrac tractor and its 2019 World's Fastest Tractor protégé, the multi-award winning 19C-1E electric mini excavator, followed by the Pothole Pro and hydrogen backhoe and hydrogen Loadall. 

The procession also featured eight former students of the JCB Academy who have forged successful careers with the company. It was Lord Bamford's vision to found the school, which opened in 2010, with the vision of producing the engineers and business leaders of the future. In partnership with high-profile companies, such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Hex Group, it has gone on to educate more than 3,500 students from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, with every single student either entering employment or higher education. 

After today's procession, JCB Chief Executive Officer Graeme Macdonald paid tribute to Lord Bamford. He said, "When he became Chairman in 1975, this was JCB's only factory. Today, JCB has 22 plants around the world and more than 19,000 employees. As we have expanded globally over the past 50 years, he has remained steadfast in his support for British manufacturing and committed to investing in JCB's UK plants."

Addressing the crowds of employees, Lord Bamford said, "My father would have been proud of JCB at 80. We have great products and great people making a difference in the world. We continue to hold true to his values of ‘jamais content' (never content) and ‘always looking for a better way.' While my father retired at the age of 59, I — along with JCB — shall be 80 tomorrow and I'm still here."

The day concluded with a formal party for Lord Bamford at the World Headquarters, with more than 100 invited guests, including dozens of retired people Lord Bamford has worked with throughout the decades.

Meanwhile, all 19,000 JCB employees in its 22 plants across the globe are looking forward to an extra holiday on Friday, October 24, in recognition of their contributions to the company's success in its 80th anniversary year.