Queen's award for JCB enterprise

JCB Heavy Products, which makes excavators in Uttoxeter, has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise after significantly increasing sales during a difficult period for UK exporters.

JCB was recognised in the international trade category of the awards after it increasing its exports of machines by more than £20m over just three years. Since ending its original joint venture to build excavators in conjunction with Sumitomo in 1998, JCB has been able to forge ahead and establish markets in countries like the US where it previously was forbidden to sell JV products.

The award covers the period from 1997-99 when JCB Heavy Products' exports rose to 66% of output, even though the strength of sterling was a barrier to trade.

JCB has now won 15 Queen's Awards although this is the first one for JCB Heavy Products. JCBHP builds a range of 17 tracked and wheeled excavators from 7t to 45t.

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