JCB celebrates biggest UK order in its 75-year history
DIGGER giant JCB is continuing to emerge from the shadow of the covid crisis after landing the biggest UK order in its 75-year history.
Sunbelt Rentals has paid the Uttoxeter-founded firm £65 million for 2,100 machines.
It comes as the company, which employs thousands of people at its Derbyshire and Staffordshire factories, recovers from a terrible 2020.
The Covid pandemic saw JCB, headquarted in
Rocester, make dozens of redundancies as the global construction industry slowed down.
But this year another 400 shop floor workers have been appointed - as well as 300 agency positions being made permanent. It has created around 850 jobs this year.
And now Sunbelt has bolstered the firm’s order book with an order for loadall telescopic handlers, miniand midi-excavators, site dumpers, tracked excavators and roughterrain forklifts.
The order also includes 350 JCB access platforms, which range from 15 to 45ft.
Graeme Mcdonald, chief executive at JCB, said: “Sunbelt Rentals is one of JCB’s largest global customers and this huge investment in new and innovative JCB equipment demonstrates its desire to offer the most up-to-date and advanced machines.
“It is the biggest order from a JCB customer in the UK ever and we are delighted to have secured this business.
“It’s also fantastic to win a large deal for our access platforms from such a well-respected fleet customer.”
Andy Wright, chief executive at Sunbelt Rentals UK, said: “Sunbelt is committed to owning the youngest and most innovative equipment in the industry and the JCB range offers fantastic quality and solutions for our customers throughout the UK.
“We have performed strongly throughout the pandemic and this significant order supports our determination to maintain and expand our market leadership position within the UK.”