JCB sales soar to record high

Staffordshire digger giant JCB has recorded the best ever sales and profit figures in its 66-year history, it was revealed today.

An extra 17,500 machine sales helped the company along to a 37 per cent surge in annual turnover to £2.75 billion last year.

The manufacturer, which employs 10,000 people worldwide including 400 in Rugeley, also achieved before tax profits of £35m as it recruited an extra 1,000 staff.

JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said: "This record financial performance has been delivered on the back of very strong growth in both traditional markets and the emerging economies.

"While we are mindful of the continuing economic and political uncertainties in some parts of the world, JCB's on-going investment in its 22 global factories, coupled with the biggest product launch programme in our history, means we are well placed to seize new opportunities for growth and deliver another strong performance in 2012.

"We are investing heavily in manufacturing facilities in the UK and overseas, and later this year a new 350,000 sq ft factory will start producing backhoe loaders and excavators in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Investment in research and development continues to keep JCB at the forefront of construction equipment technology, including engine development programmes to further improve fuel efficiency and meet legislative requirements."

JCB said machine sales rose to 69,100 units last year, from 51,600 in the previous year. The firm, which has its world headquarters in Rocester, said turnover was up on the £2 billion from 2010 and more than double the £1.35 billion sales recorded in 2009.

By John Corser and Shaun Jepson