JCB is stepping up investment across its manufacturing operations as the construction equipment manufacturer prepares for its next phase of growth, with new production capacity in the United States, a major transformation of its Staffordshire headquarters and continued development of alternative power technologies.
The plans come alongside a leadership transition at the family-owned business, with George Bamford set to become Joint Chairman alongside his father, Lord Bamford. It will be the first change at the top of JCB in more than 50 years.
The announcement follows a resilient performance in 2025, despite mixed construction equipment markets and geopolitical uncertainty. JCB recorded sales turnover of £5.7 billion, profit before tax of £642 million and machine sales of 113,498 units. The company said it increased its global market share during the year, despite flat demand in North America and a 12% contraction in India.
JCB also remained debt-free, with no net borrowings, providing a platform for continued investment in manufacturing capacity, technology and its workforce.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Last year JCB celebrated its 80th birthday and, as we look ahead, we are investing heavily in the future of the business – from the transformation of our Staffordshire headquarters and pioneering hydrogen technology, to our new factory in Texas. As part of that next chapter, I’m delighted that my son George will become Joint Chairman of JCB. We have never been a company that stands still, and these investments will ensure JCB is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead.”
Expanding manufacturing capacity
At the centre of JCB’s UK investment is a £100 million transformation of its Staffordshire headquarters in Rocester, the company’s home since 1950.
The programme includes a £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a comprehensive modernisation of the manufacturing shop floor. JCB said the investment will help secure the future of more than 8,000 UK jobs.
The UK investment is being matched by a major expansion in the US. JCB’s new $1 billion factory in San Antonio, Texas, is due to open next month. At one million square feet, it will be the company’s largest factory worldwide and will produce Loadall telescopic handlers and access equipment for North America.
The new facility is expected to create 1,500 jobs over the next five years and gives JCB additional production capacity in the world’s largest construction equipment market.
George Bamford said: “From the day my grandfather founded JCB in 1945, innovation and investment in Great Britain has been at the heart of everything we do. JCB Hydromax showed the world what British engineering can achieve. That same spirit is in every machine we build. While JCB has expanded globally over the years, our home has always been here, and the record investment we are making in our facilities and in new products is good news for Britain and good news for JCB.”
Hydrogen investment
JCB is also continuing to invest in alternative power technology, with its £100 million hydrogen combustion programme now resulting in hydrogen-powered machines entering production. The company says it has become the first construction equipment manufacturer to bring a fully approved hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to market.
The technology recently powered JCB into the record books when the Hydromax achieved 406.320mph (653.909km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the vehicle became the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle, more than doubling the previous hydrogen combustion record. Hydromax used two production-based hydrogen engines manufactured at JCB’s Foston factory in Derbyshire and progressed from concept to world record in 18 months.
For JCB, the development is part of a broader technology investment programme aimed at finding alternative power solutions for construction equipment.
Skills and succession
JCB’s investment programme also includes developing the engineering skills needed to support its future operations. The JCB Academy, established in 2010 to address the UK’s engineering skills shortage, received 708 applications for 314 places this year.
Around 3,750 young people have studied at the Academy since it opened, while 116 new apprentices, undergraduates and graduates have joined JCB this month from more than 6,300 applicants.
JCB now operates 23 factories and employs more than 20,000 people globally. The investment programme comes as the company enters its next phase under a new generation of family leadership.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “While 2025 was a more challenging year with mixed market conditions around the world, JCB delivered a robust performance overall. Machine sales were down by around 5%, but turnover remained broadly stable due to a more favourable market and product mix. Despite nil market growth in North America and a 12% market contraction in India – both important markets for JCB – we increased our global market share during 2025, which is an encouraging result. The overall outlook for 2026 is for moderate growth, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and with new capacity coming on stream in Texas and Staffordshire we are well placed to take advantage of it.”
