JCB and Lord Bamford celebrate 80th birthday

JCB was founded in a lock-up garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, by Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE on October 23rd, 1945 – the same day as his son Anthony was born.

The 80th birthday celebrations began by stepping back in time to where it all began, with Lord Bamford unveiling a blue heritage plaque on the spot where the original garage stood in the High Street, Uttoxeter.

Lord Bamford’s father rented the lock-up garage – which had no electricity – for 30 shillings a week, and it was there he made his first product, a farm trailer built largely from wartime scrap, which he sold for £45 at Uttoxeter market.

Mr Bamford stayed at the garage for 18 months until the owner asked him to leave because she did not approve of Sunday working. He then moved down the road to a stable block at Crakemarsh, a few miles north of the town.

Unveiling the plaque at Hollydene House, Uttoxeter, Lord Bamford said: “My earliest memory of the business is of me playing in my father’s workshop. Other than my time at school and my apprenticeship in France with another company, I’ve been around ever since. We have developed the business and products along the way enormously.

“Probably one of the greatest pleasures for me has been in developing products with our formidable team of highly qualified engineers. As we celebrate JCB’s 80th birthday, it’s wonderful to be back at the spot where it all began and to mark the location with a special blue plaque.

“I’m delighted that in a small way we can highlight where it all began and reflect on the continuing importance of our home county of Staffordshire.”

‘My father would have been proud of JCB’

Later, Lord Bamford arrived back at the World HQ in Rocester, where he was greeted by more than 3,500 employees lining the Lakeside Works’ pathways to pay tribute and to celebrate his and JCB’s birthdays. A spectacular cavalcade procession marked milestones and showcased machines he has introduced since becoming chairman in 1975.

The cavalcade starred the first Loadall from 1977, the classic 3CX and the world speed record-breaking JCBGT backhoe, the revolutionary 1991 Fastrac tractor and its 2019 World’s Fastest Tractor protégé, the award-winning 19C-1E electric mini excavator, followed by the industry-leading Pothole Pro and game-changing hydrogen backhoe and hydrogen Loadall.

The procession also featured eight former students of the JCB Academy who have forged successful careers with the company. It was Lord Bamford’s vision to found the school, which opened in 2010 with the vision of producing the engineers and business leaders of the future.

The gathered crowds were also treated to the unveiling of a special JCB 3CX ‘Backhoe in a Box’. It will be displayed beside the JCB lake until January for members of the public to see.

Addressing the crowds of employees, Lord Bamford said: “My father would have been proud of JCB at 80. We have great products and great people making a difference in the world.

“We continue to hold true to his values of ‘jamais content’ (never content) and ‘always looking for a better way.’ While my father retired at the age of 59, I – along with JCB – shall be 80 tomorrow, and I’m still here.”

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