Tag Archive for: JCB

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

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JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record: JCB’s third annual Christmas Toy Appeal has delivered a record haul of gifts for distribution to children in Staffordshire and Wrexham.

Kind-hearted employees have donated more than 1,700 presents across all of JCB’s UK plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham – making it the biggest ever total since the first JCB Christmas Toy Appeal in 2022. The Hubb Foundation now has the mammoth task of wrapping the bulk of the gifts before the charity distributes them to families in Stoke-on-Trent with the help of the NSPCC. In Wrexham, toys donated by employees at JCB Transmissions will be handed to the Salvation Army for local distribution.

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

Today Lady Bamford thanked everyone for their contribution to the appeal. She said: “I’d like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to donate a gift to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal. It really will make such a huge difference to every single child who has a present to open this Christmas.”

As the final gifts were delivered to the World HQ yesterday, Lord Bamford was joined by Rupert Chilman, aged five and his sister Alice, two, to officially hand over the presents to the Hubb Foundation and the NSPCC.

NSPCC Strategic Services Manager Rachael Holdcroft said:  “The reality for many children and families is that Christmas isn’t actually a magical time. The donation of these gifts by the JCB  workforce brings a little bit of light into what is otherwise quite a dark time for them and it will make the world of difference.”

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer at the Stoke-on-Trent based Hubb Foundation said: “The sheer volume of gifts donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal is an amazing achievement by JCB employees. I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated a gift this year.”

The GMB union in Staffordshire donated £1,000 to enable the purchase of toys for the Appeal and in Wrexham the GMB donated a further £650 so gifts could be bought.

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Magic million for JCB

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Magic million for JCB: JCB has marked a major manufacturing milestone with the production of its one millionth engine.

Production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, and expanded to JCB India in 2010 with the opening of a dedicated plant in Ballabgarh, Delhi. From three engines a day 20 years ago, JCB now produces around 500 a day, becoming a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of diesel engines and is now pioneering development of hydrogen combustion engines.

Magic million for JCB

Magic million for JCB

Today JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford paid tribute to the JCB teams around the world who have played a part in the engine’s success. Lord Bamford said: “To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement. This really is a significant moment for our teams around the world, a real achievement. The JCB engine is very well respected around the world for its reliability and very well appreciated by our customers. JCB machines work in dirt and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability.

“It was a major decision at the time to make our own engines and I was directly involved in that; it has paid off and I’m very pleased we made the decision. As we hit the milestone of producing one million engines, the time is right to acknowledge the part my played father in the design, not only of this engine, but other engines which he designed with other people in the past. My father died in 2001 so our engines were running as prototypes by that time, and he had a lot to do with it. I’m thankful he was involved in this engine so many years ago.”

JCB Power Systems’ engines have been instrumental in helping set world records – firstly when the JCB Dieselmax streamliner, powered by two JCB engines, became the fastest diesel-powered car in the world in 2006 when it reached a speed of 350.092mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, USA – a record that still stands. In 2019, JCB’s Fastrac tractor stormed into the record books as the world’s fastest tractor with a speed of 135.191 mph – thanks to JCB’s 7.2 litre, 6-cylinder Dieselmax engine.

A team of more than 150 engineers is currently engaged in developing hi-tech hydrogen combustion engines for use in JCB machinery as part of a £100 million investment. More than 120 engines have come off the production line so far and many machines powered by these super-efficient engines are currently undergoing evaluation.

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

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JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach: The prestigious JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire is preparing to host the LIV Golf UK event next week, from 26-28 July 2024, replacing Centurion Golf Club in Hertfordshire as LIV’s UK LIV stop.

JCB has hosted events in the last two years on the Legends Tour, the DP World Tour’s veteran circuit. They now join an ever-growing list of UK golf courses in connection with LIV Golf and its financial investment in the professional game.

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

JCB Golf and Country Club adopts a Sustainable approach

The new Golf and Country Club opened less than five years ago in September 2019 and its testimony to Golf Course Manager Callum Wark and his 33-strong team that this is already a tournament standard course, having hosted events on the Legends Tour and the DP World Tours veteran circuit.

Previously from Loch Lomond Golf Club, Callum joined the original JCB Course Manager Euan Grant as a Senior Greenkeeper in June 2016, along with another 15 people who were all instrumental in the construction and grow-in of the course.

Kerr Hunter from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), which encompasses Symbio, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, and Turfkeeper, has dealt with Callum since his inception at the club.  Callum explains, “JBC wanted an organic and sustainable course. Euan had been working with Kerr from his former club and wanted the same results. With the active ingredients in fungicides being slowly removed from the market we wanted to proactively manage our greens moving forward and wanted to adopt a biological programme that required less input from us.”

In 2018 Euan became the General Manager and Callum was promoted to Golf Course Manager. He oversaw the official launch of the JCB Golf and Country Club, which was designed to reflect the bold, ambitious vision of Lord Bamford, Chairman of the iconic construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer JCB who wanted nothing less than the creation of a tour-ready contemporary masterpiece in course design.

Internationally renowned Robin Hiseman of European Gold Design was commissioned to create the stunning, contemporary layout in beautiful rural Staffordshire. The 7308-yard par 72 course has been designed to challenge elite golfers at full distance while allowing corporate golfers an enjoyable experience.

Callum continues, “I’m not against chemical inputs and where I need to, I do use them, but I find that by following a biological programme we only have a limited need for them. There is a high level of expectation that the course is in immaculate condition. We cannot afford for our members to see any disease or scarring so as a preventative we currently spray fungicide preventatively on the greens three times a year, but we are planning on reducing this to two times if possible. I see it as a safety net.”

The course is built on land close to the JCB headquarters in a mixture of established woodland and farmers’ fields. The site wasn’t the easiest to work on as there was a lot of clay and drainage was a challenge. Hiseman and his team moved over 400,000m3 of earth to produce the course.

OAS helped with the specification of a full assembly grow-in programme to enable the course to be built with a biological base. Some of the products used included Mycorrhizal Inoculant for greens and tees and Mycorrhizal SeedCoat for fairways and outfields

along with Caviar, calcium and magnesium.

Callum adds, “Today the soil is biologically active and the course is maintained with a vigorous organic and biological programme. We have four Compost Tea brewers and use Compost Teas every two weeks to feed the soil life and enhance the soil food web. We have a full greens programme to aid in the prevention of disease and improve plant health.  We have fantastic results and the OAS biological products maintain the quality. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

Origin Amenity Solutions is the major supplier to the JCB Golf and Country Club for their putting greens. As well as a myriad of biological products such as ThatchEater, seaweed, CMS Shoot, DegrAid, Biotabs and Liquid Aeration, Callum has been using OAS Iron products for the fairways, ‘it is a high-quality product and one that works with our programme.”

‘Symbio ThatchEater is a core product for us. Our members demand high-performance surfaces. They must be firm and fast at all times. We still need to aerate regularly but ThatchEater is my go-to product.”

“The service and advice I receive from Kerr at OAS is invaluable.  We have a planned programme, but we tweak it accordingly.  A few years ago, I had a problem with plant parasitic Nematodes. Kerr recommended Root Repair.  The problem was eradicated, and I’ve never had an issue since.  The biological approach works for us, our greens are tournament-ready, and the club is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

For further information or to discuss a bespoke programme for your club contact the OAS team on 0800 138 7222 or email sales@originamenity.com

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Good news for JCB academy

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Good news for JCB academy: The region’s most over-subscribed school, The JCB Academy, has achieved top-class results in its latest Ofsted report.

The Academy achieved a ‘Good’ rating from Government inspectors who visited the Rocester-based school at the end of January, citing its excellent connections with industry and the outstanding employability skills of learners.  The report maintains the JCB Academy’s unbroken record of ‘Good’ ratings from Ofsted since its first in May 2014.

Good news for JCB academy

Good news for JCB academy

The specialist engineering and business Academy, which is sponsored by digger giant JCB, was praised for its teaching in close collaboration with prestigious employer partners such as JCB, Toyota, Bosch Rexroth, Rolls-Royce, National Grid, and Harper Adams University.

Chair of Governors and JCB Group HR Director, Max Jeffery, said: “The educational experience at The JCB Academy is second to none and provides an outstanding platform for students to not only excel academically but also prepare for their future careers. This report reflects the Academy’s unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment, alongside a rigorous and ambitious curriculum tailored to meet the needs of all learners.”

The JCB Academy Principal Jim Bailey, said: “We are immensely proud of our learners, staff, and the strong support from our industry partners. This report is a testament to our collective hard work and dedication to not only meet, but exceed, the educational standards expected of us.”

Hydraulic Training Manager at Bosch Rexroth Limited, Jim Malin added: “The Ofsted rating is no surprise, and a well-deserved recognition of overall excellence. Learners’ readiness for the industry is a testament to the Academy’s high standard of teaching and the employability skills instilled in learners.

Based in a historic 18th Century former cotton mill, the Academy is a non-selective school for 13-to-18-year-olds within an 18-mile radius – with its 810 students travelling from the Staffordshire Moorlands, Burton, Derby, Ashbourne, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Stone.

For Years 9 and 10, 645 applicants applied for the 210 places on offer, indicating the Academy will again become the most over-subscribed educational establishment in both Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

For more information on The JCB Academy visit www.jcbacademy.com

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JCB cyclists around the world challenge

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JCB cyclists around the world challenge: A TEAM of intrepid JCB cyclists is putting pedal power into action with a massive fundraising challenge to help enhance the lives of children and young people with cancer.

The 42 JCB cyclists today began a 42,000-kilometre, 80 day sponsored cycle challenge – the equivalent of riding around the world – with their sights set on a £100,000 target.

JCB cyclists around the world challenge

JCB cyclists around the world challenge

The money is being raised for Hannah’s Hope, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company.

Hannah, who will celebrate her 21st birthday on the final day of the JCB challenge, was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it.

Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together.

Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Monday to get the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge under way. Gail said: “JCB have never left our side in whatever we have faced and we will be forever grateful to Lord Bamford and the many JCB people who have raised funds for us and just shown that they care.

“Now that Hannah has more energy, she wants to give something back and help others. Six teenagers or young adults are given the devastating news they have cancer every day and they really need something to look forward to. We want to make the lodge a place for respite, recuperation and making memories for these families.”

JCB Principal Engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, explained: “The Bamford family wants to show its continued support for Hannah, and George Bamford, who is a keen cyclist, came up with the Around the World in 80 Days challenge.

“There will be 42 JCB cyclists taking part and it is very much an international effort, with employees from many of our UK factories taking part as well as employees based in Pune, India joining in.

“Over the ten-week challenge we will be clocking up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina where Hannah’s lodge will be sited.  We’ll also be topping up the miles with spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

“Many of the cyclists met with Gail last week and after hearing first hand their inspirational story, we are determined to make a difference for them by raising at least half of Hannah’s £200,000 target.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor the JCB cyclists can donate through the JCB Around the World in 80 Days JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JCBaroundworld80days

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