A listening bench telling the story of JCB’s history has been unveiled in the grounds of the company’s Rocester headquarters.
Members of the public can listen to stories and a recording of JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford speaking at the company’s 50th anniversary.
It has been designed in the style of the founder’s first ever product – a tipping trailer made out of wartime scrap – and has been created by a team of 15 young engineering, manufacturing and business apprentices using surplus materials from production lines to keep the project as close to carbon neutral as possible.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford said: “It’s a real thrill to unveil this listening bench and I hope people will enjoy sitting here and listing to stories about JCB.
“What I think is so clever is the way that our apprentices have integrated speakers into the bench and when I pressed the button, who should be speaking but my father, which was very emotional to hear.”
Project leader and Business Administration Apprentice Lana Hockaday said: “This project has really helped us develop a wide range of skills – from communication and teamwork to organisation and problem-solving.
“For many of us, it was our first time taking on something of this scale, so it was a great opportunity to build confidence and experience working across different departments and sites. Seeing it all come together and hearing the finished audio playing from the first bench was an amazing moment.”
