JCB tees off year with plans for £30m course

CONSTRUCTION machinery giants JCB have announced plans to build a £30 million golf course, which they describe as “the biggest marketing tool” in the company’s history.

The course will be built next to its World HQ in Staffordshire to help build awareness of its brand.
The proposals for a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course centre on 240 acres of rolling countryside. When completed in 2018, it is expected that up to 100 people will be employed in groundcare and hospitality roles.
The course will be designed by European Golf Design – the golf course design company of IMG and the European Tour – best known for the 2010 course at Celtic Manor in Wales, host of the 2010 Ryder Cup.
It will be built to tour-quality standard and could potentially host a major tour event, attracting competitors and spectators from all over the world.
The plans have been conceived by JCB Chairman Lord Bamford and follow an announcement in December that JCB will invest £150m to build two new factories in Staffordshire and significantly increase production to meet an anticipated growth in demand for its products.
At the heart of this premier golf development is Woodseat Hall, an 18th Century mansion currently in ruins, but which will have a new lease of life under plans to renovate it as the course clubhouse, complete with a new luxury spa, leisure facility and five-star hotel-style accommodation.
Lord Bamford said, “JCB is a global manufacturer with a successful track record in growing sales in overseas markets. As part of our plans to increase manufacturing capacity and grow sales, we need to build an even stronger awareness of the JCB brand around the world. Golf is a truly global sport and is a perfect fit for JCB as a global manufacturer as we look to develop strong relationships with customers and dealers worldwide. I’m not a golfer myself but I’m excited by the opportunity it presents us in driving our future plans for business growth.”
JCB Chief Executive Officer Graeme Macdonald said, “The course will be the biggest marketing tool available to JCB in its history, helping grow sales and create jobs. If the course were to host a major tournament, the television coverage would certainly put the JCB brand firmly on the world stage.”