CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
JCB announced that its new generation of skid-steer loaders (SSLs) and compact track loaders (CTLs) for global markets will all be built
at the company’s Savannah, Ga., facilities. The machines incorporate a single-arm, vertical lift design that is engineered to allow easier
loading for high-side trucks.
FROM SAVANNAH
TO THE WORLD
With debut of new generation of machines, JCB’s Georgia facility to
become global manufacturing site for SSLs, CTLs
BY KYLE KOPPLIN
In its 65-year history, JCB has evolved from a father and son team working out of a shed to
one of the world’s largest heavy
equipment manufacturers — all while
remaining a family-owned operation.
Through the decades there have
been a number of significant benchmarks, including establishment of
manufacturing facilities in India in
1979 and the development of its
own diesel engine in 2003.
Recently, JCB took another significant step, dedicating its manufacturing
plant in Savannah, Ga., as the first to
design, develop and engineer a product
in North America for global distribution.
“This is an exciting time for JCB,”
said John Patterson, chairman and
CEO of JCB Inc. “We’re now in our
65th year of operation and have been
consistent and steady in our business.
The economic downturn has brought a
much greater need for increase in effi-
ciency and improvement in the manu-
facturing process, but we know where
we are going and we are prepared for
what we need to do in the future.”
The 500,000 sq.ft. Savannah facil-
ity was built in 2000 to serve as a
manufacturing showcase for the lat-
est in lean production processes and
manufacturing technology within JCB.
Now, with the addition of JCB’s new
generation of loaders, Savannah will
be the sole manufacturing plant for
skid-steer loader (SSL) and compact
track loader (CTL) units worldwide.
“North America generates 60% of
the worldwide demand for skid-steers
and compact track loaders,” Patterson
said. “So developing and producing
the new generation of machines in
Savannah makes perfect sense and
has enabled us not only to meet the
unique needs of the North American
market, but also develop a machine
range that will have universal appeal.
“That’s the beauty of innovation —
you keep searching and searching
until you find the right fit. And once
you’ve found it, you continue to build
upon it and maintain that fit.”
The initial launch of the loader range
includes seven new models — four
SSLs and three CTLs — with plans to
expand it eventually to 18 models, the
company said. The seven new skid-
steers are the 260, 280, 300 and 330
machines, with the CTL line consisting
of the 260T, 300T and 320T.
According to JCB, each of the
machines incorporates a vertical lift
design, which allows for increased
capacity and more reach at maximum
lift height, the company said.
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