It's once again time to steer the spirit away from the bad headlines all around us and celebrate the good that is done right here in our own industry.

Enjoy another edition of Added Values.

JCB to auction Teleskid for VetsAid

Bidding for a custom JCB 3TS-8T Teleskid will run Nov. 10-17 via an exclusive online auction hosted by bidadoo. 

Contractors, collectors, and music fans will have the chance to own this truly unique piece of JCB equipment, along with exclusive experiences and collectibles as part of a winning bid.

Proceeds will go directly to VetsAid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and annual benefit festival founded by multiple Grammy Award-winning musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joe Walsh, to support veterans and their families across the country.

"This incredibly special Shooting Star Teleskid is one of a kind and is a beautiful example of our partnership with VetsAid and Joe Walsh," said Alice Bamford, SVP of JCB North America.

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"We're combining JCB's innovative DNA with a most meaningful cause, giving people a unique way to make a difference. As we work toward our $1 million pledge to VetsAid, this auction creates a fantastic opportunity to broaden our impact and support more veterans and their families across the country."

JCB partnered with renowned Monster Jam painter Jim McShea to bring the custom Teleskid to life. Best known for hand-painting more than 1,000 Grave Digger truck bodies during his 27-year career, McShea spent more than a week creating the machine's distinctive design.

Inspired by the World War II fighter jet flown by Walsh's father, the artwork gives the Teleskid a personal connection to the musician and the nonprofit he founded to honor his father, who died in military service. 

Joe Walsh AND Lord Bamford!

The machine also carries the signatures of Walsh and JCB Chairman Lord Bamford. Inside, a custom interior features a specially designed seat embroidered with the VetsAid logo, carrying the machine's unique identity into the cab.

Bidding will be open to participants worldwide. The winning bid includes more than the machine itself.

The winning bidder will also receive:

• Two tickets to the next VetsAid concert on Jan. 29,2027 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in JCB's VIP section
• A custom JCB/VetsAid crew shirt signed by Joe Walsh and Lord Bamford
• A VIP suite experience at a North American Monster Jam event of the winner's choosing during the 2027 season.

There is no word on whether Walsh and Lord Bamford will jam together on stage.

For Walsh, the custom Teleskid carries a personal connection. His father died while serving on active duty when Walsh was just 20 months old. The aircraft-inspired design connects that family history to the work VetsAid carries out today.

"VetsAid has always been about bringing communities together, and now with JCB, we are excited to do just that in a new and innovative way," Walsh said. "Take some serious horsepower, inject some rock and roll, and you’ve got an auction unlike any other. Own a piece of JCB and VetsAid history, join us at the biggest show we’ve ever hosted this January and help us keep driving the mission forward: supporting America’s veterans and their families. That's what this partnership is all about."

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Walsh founded VetsAid in 2017 to raise funds and awareness for veterans and their families. Since then, the organization has distributed more than $5 million in grants as of 2026 to veterans service groups nationwide. Its annual benefit concerts unite musicians and communities around a shared cause while partnerships help extend that impact beyond the stage.

JCB has played an important role in expanding that reach since joining forces with VetsAid in January 2025. The company pledged to raise $1 million through special-edition Teleskid sales and fundraising initiatives, bringing its equipment and industry connections to the organization's mission. The upcoming auction builds on that commitment, creating another opportunity to turn horsepower into meaningful support.

To learn more about the auction and its exclusive package, visit www.bidadoo.com/vetsaid-jcb/.

You can also buy one

For those who want to support VetsAid beyond the auction, JCB also offers a special edition VetsAid 3TS-8T Teleskid. The machine features a military green exterior, custom VetsAid interior, and commemorative dog tags. JCB contributes $1,000 for every machine purchased by a dealer, helping advance the company's $1 million fundraising goal.

Cat hits another state with investment

The list is getting longer: Indiana, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, and now North Carolina.

Caterpillar has expanded its workforce commitment to North Carolina, the most recent investment for its five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative. With an allocation of up to $10 million, the funding aims to prepare current and future workers for jobs in modern manufacturing and industry technician roles.

“Investing in people is essential to building the workforce advanced manufacturing will need for the future,” said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar’s chief HR officer. “North Carolina’s growth creates an opportunity to help more people build the skills they need for careers in manufacturing and strengthen the workforce that will support the industry for years to come.”

Why North Carolina?

As a critical manufacturing hub, North Carolina is a natural fit for this investment. Caterpillar employs more than 3,600 people in North Carolina, has a strong dealer network and works with 325 suppliers across the state.

“North Carolina is home to the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast, and Caterpillar recognizes what our state brings to the table,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “I thank Caterpillar for its long-standing partnership and look forward to more economic opportunity coming to Sanford.”

Caterpillar recently announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in North Carolina to expand manufacturing capacity for products that support its growing Cat Compact business, which provides compact equipment solutions for small contractors and growing businesses.

The investment includes plans for a new modern manufacturing facility in Sanford, designed to increase production of compact track loaders and telehandlers to meet customer demand. 

Also in North Carolina, Caterpillar’s Clayton facility manufactures small wheel loaders and supports the distribution of backhoe loaders.

Caterpillar is collaborating with leading North Carolina organizations, like Central Carolina Community College and the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, to advance the Building the Future Workforce Initiative.

The program aims to expand hands-on manufacturing pathways for students, mobilize employer engagement across the region, and provide individuals with access to affordable, relevant training that leads to career advancement.