JCB, Lord Bamford Celebrate 80th Birthdays
A joint celebration honored the 80th anniversary of JCB and the 80th birthday of its chairman, Lord Anthony Bamford.
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As part of the celebration, Lord Bamford unveiled a blue heritage plaque on the spot where the original garage stood in the High Street, Uttoxeter. JCB was founded in a 12x15-foot garage by Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE on October 23, 1945—the same day his son Anthony was born.
Unveiling the plaque at Hollydene House, Uttoxeter, Lord Bamford said, “My earliest memory of the business is of me playing in my father’s workshop. Other than my time at school and my apprenticeship in France with another company, I’ve been around ever since.”
Later, Lord Bamford arrived at the JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, where he was greeted by more than 3,500 employees lining the Lakeside Works’ pathways to pay tribute and to celebrate. A procession marked milestones and showcased machines he has introduced since becoming chairman in 1975.
The procession also featured eight former students of the JCB Academy who have forged successful careers with the company. It was Lord Bamford’s vision to found the school, which opened in 2010, with the vision of producing the engineers and business leaders of the future. In partnership with high-profile companies such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Hex Group, it has gone on to educate more than 3,500 students from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, with every single student either entering employment or higher education.
“When he became chairman in 1975, this was JCB’s only factory,” said Graeme Macdonald, CEO. “Today, JCB has 22 plants around the world and more than 19,000 employees. As we have expanded globally over the past 50 years, he has remained steadfast in his support for British manufacturing and committed to investing in JCB’s UK plants.”
Addressing employees, Lord Bamford said, “My father would have been proud of JCB at 80. We have great products and great people making a difference in the world. We continue to hold true to his values of ‘jamais content’ (never content) and ‘always looking for a better way.’ While my father retired at the age of 59, I—along with JCB—shall be 80 tomorrow and I’m still here.”