2025 is Eagle Plant’s year to celebrate 50 years in business. We’ve had a digger commissioned in gold, we’ve had a special edition Groundhog Towable Welfare Unit made, 50th anniversary decals made to go on all of our machines, a lorry based now in Ilton with Golden decals, and a hamper delivered to all of our hardworking staff. What was next?
Our team was invited to the JCB Headquarters in Uttoxeter.
Almost every branch was in attendance, with at least one team member sent from our depots; this included some of our apprentices.
After being sorted into groups, picking up our high-vis, headphones, and safety glasses, we headed up to the JCB museum. Where we learnt the history of JCB from the early days and the first tipping trailer, to the current day, and the expansion across the world.
Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed, as we headed into the main factory, where we got to see every step of the JCB machines being built. From flat sheets of steel being cut, welded, blasted, painted, and then bolted together, to the finished machines getting their decals and ready to head out the door. It was loud, busy, and fascinating to watch (trust us, because we can’t show you!).
After lunch, we had to get on a coach (yes, JCB is that large) and we headed to the World Parts Centre side of the business. It’s another huge warehouse full of staff and, of course, parts. The tour showed us the new picking machines, which we could have watched for hours, and the packing/dispatch area, which was a hub of activity. As well as the large offices, not only full of staff, but data. It was incredible to see the hub of JCB’s LiveLink. We found one of our JCB machines (amongst 500 thousand of them!), and we could see all the information, including where it was, how long it had been used that day, and even how much fuel it had left.
After a quick trip back to the main headquarters, Michael Grimoldby was presented with a commemorative JCB model as a celebration of our 50 years in business. As well as a special Eagle Plant 50th Anniversary cake, which was shared amongst the team and tasted delicious!
Overall, it was a great day out for the team, not only as a chance to meet each other in person for those distant depots, but as a great learning opportunity into the business behind the JCB brand, and what it takes to build some of the machines in our fleet.
