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£100 million Staffordshire transformation, $1 billion Texas factory and hydrogen technology programme support the manufacturer’s next phase of growth

JCB is stepping up investment in manufacturing capacity, technology and skills following the record-setting performance of its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. The company is investing in its Staffordshire headquarters in the UK while expanding production capacity in the United States with a new factory in San Antonio, Texas.

The developments come alongside a leadership transition, with George Bamford set to become Joint Chairman of JCB alongside his father, Lord Bamford. The move represents the first change at the top of the family-owned company in more than five decades.

JCB, which now operates 23 factories and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide, said the investments are intended to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and support its next phase of development.

£100 Million Transformation of Staffordshire Headquarters

At the centre of JCB's UK investment programme is a £100 million transformation of its Staffordshire World Headquarters, which has been the company's home since 1950.

The programme includes a £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a comprehensively modernised manufacturing shop floor. According to JCB, the investment will help secure the future of more than 8,000 UK jobs while upgrading production capabilities at the company's historic base.

$1 Billion Texas Factory

JCB is also expanding its North American manufacturing footprint. The company's new $1 billion facility in San Antonio, Texas, covering approximately one million square feet, is scheduled to open next month.

The facility will become JCB's largest factory globally and will manufacture Loadall telescopic handlers and access equipment for the North American market. The company expects the investment to create approximately 1,500 jobs over the next five years.

Hydrogen Technology Moves into Production

JCB's manufacturing investments are being accompanied by continued development of alternative power technologies. Following a £100 million hydrogen combustion technology programme, hydrogen-powered machines are now entering production.

JCB says it has become the first construction equipment manufacturer to bring a fully approved hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to market.

The technology recently gained global attention when the company's JCB Hydromax set a new hydrogen-powered land speed record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats.

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, Hydromax achieved a speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 km/h), making it the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle according to JCB. The run more than doubled the previous hydrogen combustion record and surpassed JCB's own Dieselmax record set two decades earlier.

Hydromax was powered by two production-based hydrogen combustion engines manufactured at JCB's facility in Foston, Derbyshire. The project progressed from concept to world-record attempt in approximately 18 months.

Resilient 2025 Performance

JCB also reported a resilient financial and operational performance for 2025 despite challenging market conditions and geopolitical uncertainty.

The company recorded £5.7 billion in sales turnover, £642 million in profit before tax and machine sales of 113,498 units. JCB said it remained debt-free with no net borrowings and increased its global market share during the year.

The company noted that North American demand remained broadly flat, while the Indian construction equipment market contracted by 12% during 2025.

Investment in Engineering Skills

JCB is also continuing to invest in the next generation of engineering talent through the JCB Academy in Staffordshire.

The academy received 708 applications for 314 places for the September intake. Since opening in 2010, it has educated approximately 3,750 young people, with JCB reporting a 100% record of graduates progressing into employment or further education.

The company also welcomed 116 new apprentices, undergraduates and graduates during September, selected from more than 6,300 applicants.

Preparing for the Next Phase

Commenting on the investment programme, Lord Bamford, Chairman, JCB, said the company was investing across its Staffordshire headquarters, hydrogen technology and new Texas manufacturing facility as it prepares for its next phase.

George Bamford, who will become Joint Chairman, highlighted JCB's continued focus on innovation and investment in Britain while acknowledging the company's expanding global manufacturing footprint.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said that while 2025 presented mixed market conditions, the company maintained a robust overall performance. He noted that machine sales declined by around 5%, while turnover remained broadly stable, supported by market and product mix.

Looking ahead, JCB expects moderate market growth in 2026, despite continued geopolitical uncertainty. With additional manufacturing capacity coming online in Texas and Staffordshire, the company is positioning its global operations to support future demand across construction and related equipment markets.