Local County Councillor Praises Staffordshire Based Manufacturer

Cllr Ben Adams

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Enterprise, Ben Adams (Perrycrofts Division), has said record profits announced by Staffordshire-based firm JCB have added to the county’s reputation as a global manufacturing leader.

Ben said, “The news from JCB is great news for the UK and another success story for Staffordshire.  It further enhances our global reputation as a prime location for engineering.

“JCB is a leader in construction equipment manufacturing.  It is well known as a Staffordshire firm with a proud history and strong future ahead.

“It is also a key employer in Staffordshire, with its world headquarters in Rocester and a plant at Rugeley.  This is in addition to the JCB academy, where tomorrow’s engineers are learning their career skills.

“In the south of the county, we are preparing the i54 South Staffordshire site for Jaguar Land Rover to move onto in the summer.  Our commitment to attracting world leading manufacturers to Staffordshire demonstrates our priority to increase prosperity.  This is clearly an exciting time for UK manufacturing and it is being led right here in Staffordshire.”

JCB’s turnover in 2011 increased by 37 per cent compared with the previous year to £2.75bn.  It sold 69,100 machines last year, compared to 51,600 in 2010.