JCB Archives - Times Echo and Life

May 29, 2020

Shop floor workers saved but salaried staff still up for redundancy

Shop floor jobs at a major employer in Staffordshire, which has factories in the Cheadle and Uttoxeter areas, have been saved. On May 15, JCB announced that almost 1,500 jobs across its UK factories were set to be axed. These included 950 jobs at risk of redundancy, and around 500 Guidant agency employees who were going to be ‘released’ from the digger giant. The announcement came from the company after “demand for its machines fell by half as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.”

Almost 1,500 jobs to be axed at digger giant JCB

JCB has announced today (Friday, May 15) that up to 950 jobs are at risk of redundancy at its UK plants after “demand for its machines fell by half as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.” The company revealed that it has written to UK employees today to advise that up to 950 staff roles are under threat at its ten plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham and that a 45-day consultation period will begin on Monday (May 18). Around 500 Guidant agency employees, who work at JCB’s UK sites, are also being “released” from the business.

Safety measures announced as JCB production resumes

A major manufacturing company announced this week a partial re-starting of production at five of its UK factories as a comprehensive package of safety measures is rolled out to protect employees in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. British production lines at JCB fell silent on March 18 and the vast majority of the company’s 6,500 UK employees have been furloughed since April.

Dancing diggers to take centre stage at carnival

JCB’s world-famous Dancing Diggers will take a birthday bow at a Moorlands community event this summer as the company marks its 75th anniversary. Widely regarded as a 'down-to-earth version' of the Red Arrows, the legendary JCB Dancing Diggers will take centre stage in the main show arena at Cheadle Carnival on Saturday, July 4. There, the mechanical monsters will perform intricate and spectacular ‘choreographed’ routines with an elegance and split-second precision that belies their heavyweight construction. The World’s Fastest Tractor – a modified version of the famous Fastrac made in Cheadle – will also be on show. The tractor secured the title with a speed of 135.191 mph driven by motorbike racer and lorry mechanic Guy Martin at the wheel. Also lining up alongside the tractor will be the JCB GT - the world’s fastest backhoe loader with a top speed of around 120mph. JCB is also supporting the carnival with a £3,000 donation by sponsoring the main stage.

PM visits JCB factory – and so do climate protestors

PRIME Minister, Boris Johnson, smashed through a wall of polystyrene bricks at a JCB factory as part of his election campaign last week. The PM took to the wheel of a Union Jack branded JCB backhoe loader in a symbolic gesture meant to illustrate his determination to break the Brexit deadlock ahead of voters heading to the polls last Thursday. But the stunt didn't go entirely to plan as protestors with Extinction Rebellion targeted the Conservative 'battle bus' while the PM visited JCB.

Top apprentice awards for JCB employees

A JCB Design Engineer is the toast of the UK today after winning a national apprentice award. Louise Meredith, aged 21, scooped the title of Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year at the finals of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Awards in London recently just weeks after winning the regional final. Louise, a Design Engineer in the Loadall division at JCB World Headquarters, in Rocester, said: “I’m passionate about apprenticeships and undertaking a degree/higher apprenticeship has been a fantastic way to start my career, so to win this national award is just amazing.

Award-winning employee retires

AN AWARD-WINNING employee at a Staffordshire business has retired after more than three decades. JCB has paid tribute to Roy Bamford who has retired after 32 years with the company. Roy, aged 58 of Cheadle, has stepped down as Group Purchasing Manager at JCB World Headquarters, in Rocester.

Record multi-million-pound sale for JCB

A STAFFORDSHIRE business has secured the biggest ever single-sale from a United Kingdom business in the company's 69-year history. JCB, which bases it's headquarters in Rocester, has landed a two-year deal with plant hire corporation Ardent Hire Solutions worth £75 million for 1,100 telescopic handlers. A collection of backhoe loaders, fork lifts and site-dumpers are also included in the agreement.

JCB machines star on television show

PRODUCERS of a hit television show turned to JCB when they needed tough machines to put an ‘indestructible’ cycle helmet to the test. Channel 5’s The Gadget Show called on the 19 tonne JCB 457 Wheeled Loader, the 13 tonne JCB 131X Excavator and the JCB Loadall to give the helmet the most rigorous workout possible. Presenters Craig Charles, Jon Bentley and Georgie Barrat visited the JCB quarry near the company’s Rocester World Headquarters, as part of an ‘Outdoors’ technical gear special episode, and witnessed JCB demonstration drivers Carl Fower and Dan Potter perform a series of punishing trials.

Renovation donation for historic church

BOUNDARY walls at a village church have been repaired with help from JCB. The digger giant donated £5,000 towards vital renovations at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Hollington. The historic Grade II listed building is just a few miles from JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester.

JCB honours long-standing employees

A SPECIAL tribute has been paid to JCB employees who have clocked up more than 1,500 years service between them. A total of 66 long-serving employees were honoured at a VIP lunch and presentation ceremony at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester. At the lunch employees who were celebrating 20, 40 and 45 year service milestones were each given a company gift - ranging from city breaks to designer watches and bracelets - in recognition of their loyalty and commitment to JCB’s success.

JCB celebrates record number of contracts for apprentices

A RECORD-breaking group of JCB apprentices had two reasons to celebrate at the launch of National Apprenticeships Week. A total of 79 apprentices were awarded their apprenticeship certificates on Monday, March 4 at the same time as getting coveted contracts of employment with the Staffordshire-based digger maker. The group is the biggest in the history of JCB to graduate as Level 2 and 3 apprentices in a single year. They received their awards from JCB directors at a special graduation ceremony at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester.

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