‘Good news’ as JCB creates 400 new jobs
ROCESTER-BASED digger giant JCB is taking on more than 400 additional staff as bosses say business is about to boom.
The firm is recruiting shop floor employees as it gears up for a surge in production, spurred on by a “sharp rebound” in the market for construction equipment.
JCB had been among the first firms in the UK to report an impact from the coronavirus pandemic, as production at its factories was halted around the world following problems with the supply chain.
But the company has now started taking on 400 additional agency employees in a variety of jobs including assembly, welding and fork lift truck drivers.
In addition, JCB is giving permanent contracts to up to 300 existing agency employees, including welders, fabricators and CNC machinists.
Chief operating officer Mark Turner said: “In March 2020 our orders dramatically disappeared overnight when the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and while we were able to protect our shop floor workforce, regrettably many staff positions were impacted.
“It took more than six months for the business to recover to production levels we last saw in March 2020.
“This year has started strongly and our forecasts predict a continued solid recovery, with strong demand from mainland Europe and North America.
“This means we are now in a position to recruit many more shop floor colleagues and offer permanent JCB contracts to a large number of existing agency employees.
“After a tumultuous 12 months, this really is good news.”