His Majesty The King was given a glimpse into the future of JCB hydrogen power as he toured the company’s World Headquarters as part of its 80th birthday celebrations.
In a visit to Rocester yesterday, King Charles was shown one of the first JCB diggers to be powered by hydrogen – and how the machine can be refuelled in a matter of minutes.
The construction giant is developing an internal combustion engine which is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel of the future.
His Majesty met with employees, apprentices, retired staff members and former JCB Academy students in a visit that also helped to mark the milestone of the production of the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger, an invention which replaced men with shovels, pickaxes and hods and mechanised the labour-intensive process of digging holes and earthmoving around the world.
Continuing his time in Staffordshire, His Majesty later visited Tower Brewery in Burton upon Trent where he was given a tour, pulled a pint and learnt more about the process of producing ales.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who was among those to welcome The King on his arrival, said: “It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business.
“It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines.
“Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”
During a tour of the backhoe loader production line, His Majesty helped fit a wheel to a JCB digger.
Among those he met were people who – along with their family members – have clocked up decades of service with the company.
They included Bill Boot who joined JCB in 1949 and 27 members of his family have gone on to work at the company and nine current Boot family employees, including Bill’s great-grandson Leigh, were there to welcome The King.
Ken Harrison, now aged 100, one of the last surviving members of the 1953 team which produced the first JCB backhoe loaders was also in attendance with family members. Ken and his relatives have amassed more than 350 years’ service to JCB.
Other guests included former JCB Academy student Rhys Bradbury, who, as a 15-year-old student in 2011, reported on the official opening of the Academy by the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall for the school’s newsletter.
Rhys, now JCB’s Regional Sales Manager for Central Europe, Austria and Switzerland, said: “It was fantastic to be involved in today’s visit and a great start to JCB’s 80th anniversary year.”
Olympic canoeist Adam Burgess, who is sponsored by the firm, was also present.
His Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark his visit and as he stepped outside to leave, he was met by the cheers of thousands of flag-waving World HQ JCB employees who lined the route of his departure.
