JCB has marked a major manufacturing milestone with the production of its one millionth engine. Production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire in the UK and expanded to JCB India in 2010 with the opening of a dedicated plant in Ballabgarh, Delhi. Source: Timberbiz
From three engines a day 20 years ago, JCB now produces around 500 a day.
To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement.
The JCB engine is well respected around the world for its reliability and appreciated by customers. JCB machines work in dirty and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability.
“It was a major decision at the time to make our own engines and I was directly involved in that; it has paid off and I’m very pleased we made the decision,” Anthony Bamford, JCB Chairman said.
“As we hit the milestone of producing one million engines, the time is right to acknowledge the part my played father in the design, not only of this engine, but other engines which he designed with other people in the past.
“My father died in 2001, so our engines were running as prototypes by that time, and he had a lot to do with it. I’m thankful he was involved in this engine so many years ago.”
A team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hi-tech hydrogen combustion engines for use in JCB machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these super-efficient engines are currently undergoing evaluation.
