PRODUCTION paused at a JCB factory today as the company said thanks to its workforce on winning one of the world’s most prestigious export awards.
JCB Compact Products in Cheadle, Staffs, has won a Queen’s Award for International Trade for increasing exports by more than 25% over three years. Production lines fell silent for around 15 minutes today as the whole workforce of more than 500 people watched the award being presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson.
Mr Dudson said: “JCB continues to build on the great traditions of manufacturing in Staffordshire and to set new standards of excellence in all aspects of their businesses. We congratulate JCB Compact Products on its Queen’s Award and we share in the delight and pride of everybody who is associated with the company. Most importantly we continue to thank JCB for the immense contribution the company makes to this county’s economy, to our reputation and to our communities, in so many different ways”.
JCB Compact Products MD Buta Atwal said: “The award comes at a very exciting time for JCB Compact Products. This year we celebrated the production of our 100,000th mini excavator and we have introduced some great new products which are proving very popular in world markets.
“We are involved in one of the most competitive segments of the construction equipment business, with more than 20 major manufacturers all vying for a slice of a market which is worth £4 billion a year. We were a challenger in that market when we entered it 27 years ago. Today we are established as one of the major players. That success is down to the whole JCB Compact Products’ team here in Staffordshire and we are absolutely delighted to win this Queen’s Award.”
JCB Compact Products manufactures compact construction equipment including micro, mini and midi excavators. In the face of fierce global competition, overseas sales of its machines grew by 25% from 2013 to 2015 – earning the business a Queen’s Award.
The award helped JCB cement its position as the UK record holder of Queen’s Awards – winning a total of 30 since its first in 1969. Three of those awards have been won for the export of mini excavators, in 1994, 2007 and 2016.
JCB won three Queen’s Awards this year; the other two, one for international trade and the other for innovation, were presented to Derbyshire engine producer, JCB Power Systems, earlier this year.