JCB aims high with 100,000 telehandlers

JCB has predicted that it will become the global market leader for telehandlers by brand in 2006, as it celebrated building its 100,000th telehandler since production started in 1977.

The manufacturer claimed that it is the first to produce 100,000 telehandlers under a single brand and chairman Sir Anthony Bamford marked the occasion by joining the 700-strong Loadall workforce to see the machine roll off the production line.

The event came as JCB completed a £9m investment, £8m of which has been spent doubling production capacity to 20,000 at its Rocester factory – this year it will build 10,000 units.

Director and general manager of the Loadall business unit Richard Fox-Marrs said he expected that “health and safety on construction sites will be one of the predominant drivers” in the future development of the machines.

About 70% of JCB’s telehandlers go into the construction market.

JCB has also invested £534,000 in production in Savannah, Georgia, where it makes the 506 and 508 models. JCB sales managing director Matthew Taylor predicted the US market to expand by 59% this year. The company said it is also seeing strong growth in central Europe.

Pictured: JCB's current 535 telehandler

[Contract Journal, 25 October 2006, p18]