Rocester-headquartered JCB has hit a major manufacturing milestone with the production of its one millionth engine.
The feat has been accomplished 20 years after production first started at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, and has been described as “quite some achievement” by company Chairman Anthony Bamford.
Paying tribute to staff, he said: “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.”
Engine production 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 and is also pioneering development of hydrogen combustion engines.
Lord Bamford added: “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.”