by Richard Cosgrove | Fri 06 Sep 2024
Many happy returns as JCB celebrates 20 years of engine making
Since 2004, JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, has gone from producing three engines a day to making almost 300. It has become a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of diesel engines and is now leading the way with the pioneering development of hydrogen engines.
The business initially employed 20 people but has expanded its workforce to more than 400. To mark today’s anniversary, employees were presented with gifts and letters thanking them for their service. In addition, 10 employees with a combined 200 years’ service, planted an oak tree in the grounds of the plant to mark the occasion.
JCB Power Systems General Manager Robert Taylor said: “I’m proud to have worked at JCB Power Systems since day one. Today marks 20 years of innovation, growth and dedication involving a talented team, delivering manufacturing excellence at JCB."
JCB Power Systems’ engines have been instrumental in helping set world records – firstly when the JCB Dieselmax streamliner, powered by two JCB engines, became the fastest diesel-powered car in the world in 2006 when it reached a speed of 350.092mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA – a record that still stands. In 2019, JCB’s Fastrac tractor stormed into the record books as the world’s fastest tractor with a speed of 135.191 mph – thanks to JCB’s 7.2 litre, 6-cylinder Dieselmax engine.
In 2010, JCB expanded production of engines to JCB India, with a dedicated facility in Ballabgarh, Delhi, where 200 engines are produced every single day.
In the UK, a team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hi-tech hydrogen combustion engines for use in JCB machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these super-efficient engines are currently undergoing evaluation.