JCB chief executive officer Graeme Macdonald says JCB will open another India factory and two factories in England as part of the UK manufacturer’s global growth strategy
Speaking during JCB’s Conexpo 2014 press conference, JCB ceo Graeme Macdonald said, “We continue to invest for our future. Following the 2012 opening of our US$100 million factory in Brazil, we’re now planning to open later this year JCB’s $100 million factory complex in Jaipur – our fourth in India. It’s actually two factories, covering 700,000 square foot on a 114-acre site. It’s all part of JCB’s plan to remain India’s number one in construction equipment [sales].”
The India factory investment comes after the UK-based manufacturer announced in December 2013 a $240 million investment in expanding existing operations and building two new factories – one in Uttoxeter, central England for JCB cabs, and the other in nearby Cheadle for compact equipment. The firm is also extending its main loadall machine assembly line at its World HQ in Rocester to increase line capacity by 35%, for what Macdonald described as an “important growth product”.
“These are all steps we are taking to consolidate JCB’s position as number one in the UK, Europe, India and Russia- CIS, and grow as number one in backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers,” said Macdonald. “These steps will also help us grow our position in markets and products where we aspire to be number one.”
Macdonald said the firm’s factory in Savannah, Georgia, US, and factories in India, were exporting JCB equipment to many markets, and highlighted how JCB’s UK factories were now exporting over 75% of JCB’s production worldwide. “We are truly a global supplier of global products,” he added.
As part of JCB’s continued investment in parts and service provision, Macdonald said the company was setting up a new US warehouse in Chicago, which would be JCB’s main North American hub for aftermarket support. Another site in Texas is due to be opened early in 2015. “That means we will soon have five parts warehouses across North America, compared to just two warehouses three years ago. This underlines our commitment to better service for North American customers.”
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