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JCB appoints George Bamford as Joint Chairman

JCB has announced and increase in investment in its UK and US manufacturing operations following the recent world land speed record set by its hydrogen-powered Hydromax vehicle.

The firm is investing £100 million in the transformation of its Staffordshire World HQ, while its new $1 billion factory in San Antonio, Texas, is due to open next month. The Texas facility, at one million square feet, will be JCB’s largest factory and is expected to create 1,500 jobs over the next five years. The new facility will produce Loadall telescopic handlers and access equipment for the North American market. The business now has 23 factories and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. 

The investment at the Staffordshire headquarters includes a £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a modernised production area. JCB says the programme will help secure more than 8,000 UK jobs.

The company has also announced that George Bamford will become Joint Chairman alongside his father, Lord Bamford. It is the first change at the top of JCB in more than 50 years. JCB reported turnover of £5.7 billion and profit before tax of £642 million for 2025, with machine sales of 113,498 units. Despite flat demand in North America and a 12% contraction in the Indian market, JCB said it increased its global market share during the year.

Further development

The investment programme also includes JCB’s hydrogen combustion technology, following a £100 million development programme. The company says it is the first construction equipment manufacturer to bring a fully approved hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to market.

Last month, two production-based hydrogen engines built at JCB’s Foston factory powered the Hydromax to 406.320mph (653.909km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the vehicle became the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle, more than doubling the previous hydrogen combustion record and surpassing JCB’s Dieselmax record set 20 years earlier. JCB says the Hydromax went from concept to world record in 18 months.

The company is also continuing to invest in its workforce. The JCB Academy received 708 applications for 314 places this September, while 116 new apprentices, undergraduates and graduates joined JCB from more than 6,300 applicants.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Last year JCB celebrated its 80th birthday and, as we look ahead, we are investing heavily in the future of the business – from the transformation of our Staffordshire headquarters and pioneering hydrogen technology, to our new factory in Texas. As part of that next chapter, I’m delighted that my son George will become Joint Chairman of JCB. We have never been a company that stands still, and these investments will ensure JCB is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead.”

George Bamford said: “From the day my grandfather founded JCB in 1945, innovation and investment in Great Britain has been at the heart of everything we do. JCB Hydromax showed the world what British engineering can achieve. That same spirit is in every machine we build. While JCB has expanded globally over the years, our home has always been here, and the record investment we are making in our facilities and in new products is good news for Britain and good news for JCB.”

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “While 2025 was a more challenging year with mixed market conditions around the world, JCB delivered a robust performance overall. Machine sales were down by around 5%, but turnover remained broadly stable due to a more favourable market and product mix. Despite nil market growth in North America and a 12% market contraction in India – both important markets for JCB – we increased our global market share during 2025, which is an encouraging result. The overall outlook for 2026 is for moderate growth, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and with new capacity coming on stream in Texas and Staffordshire we are well placed to take advantage of it.”

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