JCB reaches one-million engine production landmark

Employees at JCB Power Systems in Foston, UK celebrate the engine production milestone (Photo: JCB)

JCB has marked the key production milestone of producing one million engines.

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford paid tribute to the JCB teams around the world, saying: “To have made one million engines in 20 years is quite some achievement. This really is a significant moment for our teams around the world, a real achievement.

“The JCB engine is very well respected around the world for its reliability and very well appreciated by our customers. JCB machines work in dirt and hot and cold climates, and from the moment they go to a customer, they are working hard and doing a full day’s shift. The engine really is the beating heart of that reputation for reliability.”

The first JCB engines were designed by Lord Bamford’s father, who passed away in 2001 and did not live to see the engines go into full production.

Engine production started in 2004 at JCB Power Systems in Foston, Derbyshire, in the UK. This was followed by SOP in 2010 at the site in Ballabgarh, Delhi.

The company now produces a total of about 500 engines each day.

Engines produced by JCB have featured in a series of world records. Powered by a pair of JCB engines, the Dieselmax Streamliner still holds the record for the fastest diesel-powered car. It reached a speed of 350.092 mph in 2006 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The JCB Fastrac tractor broke the record for the fastest tractor in 2019. Fitted with a 7.2-litre six-cylinder Dieselmax engine, the tractor reached 135.191 mph.

In addition to the diesel engines, JCB is continuing to develop a hydrogen internal combustion engine. About 120 examples have been produced which, having been fitted to a variety of machines, are now undergoing evaluation.