October 21, 2025

JCB marks eight decades with a day off for 19,000 staff, 80 limited-edition machines, and a £100 million UK investment

To mark this impressive milestone, JCB is recognising the hard work and dedication of its global workforce with an extra day’s holiday for more than 19,000 employees across 22 plants worldwide. In the UK alone, over 8,000 employees based at JCB’s Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham facilities will enjoy a well-earned long weekend on Friday, 24th October.

It was 80 years ago, on 23rd October 1945, that the late Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE founded JCB in a 12 ft x 15 ft lock-up garage in Uttoxeter – on the very same day his son Anthony, now Lord Bamford, was born. Since taking over as Chairman in 1975, Lord Bamford has guided the company’s growth from a small British manufacturer into a global name, producing more than 350 different products for the construction and agricultural industries.

To celebrate this major milestone, JCB has unveiled 80 striking limited-edition machines – a fitting tribute to eight decades of engineering excellence and innovation.

The line-up includes 40 of JCB’s iconic 4CX Pro Dual Drive backhoe loaders and 40 542-70 AGRIPRO Loadalls, each finished in satin black with chrome decals and JCB yellow highlights. The machines also feature bespoke touches such as 80th edition embroidered seats, carpets, decals, and plaques.

These top-of-the-range models are now rolling down the production lines at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire.

As part of its 80th birthday celebrations, JCB has also announced a £100 million investment in new, ultra-modern manufacturing facilities at its global headquarters in Rocester.

The project includes a £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a full modernisation of the shop floor, featuring new machining centres, friction welders, and cylinder boring machines. This investment reinforces JCB’s long-term commitment to British manufacturing and will ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation.

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