JCB to build Texas plant

United Kingdom-based construction and mobile material handling equipment maker JCB has announced it is preparing to build a new factory in San Antonio, Texas. The planned 720,000-square-foot facility would be the company’s second in the United States, joining one in Savannah, Georgia, that opened in 2001.

JCB North America, based in Savannah, says it currently employs 1,000 people in the U.S., and another 1,500 jobs may be created in Texas.

“North America is integral to the growth and success of JCB’s business in the future, and the time is now right for JCB to expand its manufacturing presence there,” says Graeme Macdonald, JCB’s CEO. “Texas is a vibrant and growing economy, and the state offers great advantages in terms of a central location as well as good highway and port access.”

Adds Macdonald, “The city of San Antonio also has a well-established skills base, which makes it a very attractive place to set up a factory.”

“JCB has come a long way since selling its first machine to the U.S. market in 1964,” says Anthony Bamford, board chair of JCB. “This new investment is good news for our North American customers and is a fantastic platform on which JCB can build.”

Comments Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO of JCB North America, “The growth we’ve experienced in the past few years in North America has been extensive and demand for our products continues to grow. The decision to expand our manufacturing footprint will bring us even closer to our customers and will allow us to further capitalize on market opportunities in North America.”

JCB, which was founded in 1945, says it has 22 factories around the world, including 11 in the U.K. and others in Brazil, China, India and the U.S. The company describes itself as the world’s largest privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment.