JCB Reports Record 2005
June 28, 2006 — In a year when machine production and sales turnover reached all-time highs, JCB Construction Equipment,
Anthony Bamford, JCB chairman, deems 2005 most successful year in the company's 60-year history.
In the company's 60th anniversary year, JCB pre-tax profits rose to $203 million, double the figure for 2004. It was also a year for other new records, including a rise in global production to more than 45,000 machines (which is up 21 percent on 2004) and an increase in sales turnover to $2.62 billion (a rise of 23 percent). JCB also moved up the world rankings for construction equipment manufacturers — from fifth to fourth place by volume — while retaining its global No. 1 position in the backhoe loader market.
As a result of this increased production, the number of people employed by JCB rose by more than 600 throughout 2005 to reach a total 6,300 — 400 of which were created in the United Kingdom.
“The record year of 2005 was built on a foundation of always striving to increase our sales and achieving new targets will mean growing this company significantly over the next five years,” said JCB Managing Director and CEO John Patterson. “In 2001 we manufactured just 120 different products. We have now more than doubled the models offered to 257. We therefore have the range of machines to push JCB to new heights and to build on the success we enjoyed in 2005.”
With increased production and product range, JCB last year increased its North American distribution network by 25 percent in 2005. It also recently expanded its Georgia-based dealer network in
Last year saw huge increases in production of JCB's fuel efficient diesel engine, manufactured at JCB Power Systems in the
A third JCB plant in
