JCB yesterday (10 February) launched a recruitment drive for 80 engineers to fill vacancies across all the company's sites in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wales.
JCB chief executive Alan Blake says the requirement arises as growth returns in global markets. It also follows a deal worth almost £14 million to supply 350 diggers to Kent-based plant hire firm HE Services, of Diggerland theme parks fame.
The announcements were made during a visit by Chancellor George Osborne to JCB Transmissions, Wrexham, which will manufacture axles and gearboxes for more than half of the diggers.
"JCB's success over the past 65 years has been built on having the very best engineering talent," comments Blake. "This year has started very strongly and all the signs at this stage are that growth will continue throughout 2011."
The engineering vacancies include mechanical, electronic and electrical design engineers, development engineers, research and development engineers, engine design and development engineers, technicians, apprentice engineers, undergraduate engineers and graduate engineers.
As for the diggers deal, JCB products ordered include mini excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers, 3CX backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders and tracked excavators – all to be supplied by JCB dealer Greenshields JCB.
"We pride ourselves on having Britain's most up-to-date fleet of machines and we are committed to replacing that fleet every two or three years to ensure our customers get the most efficient, powerful and high-performing products on the market," comments HE Services Group chairman Hugh Edeleanu.