THE King has given a glimpse into the future of JCB hydrogen power as he toured the company’s World Headquarters as part of its 80th birthday celebrations.
As JCB prepares to mark the historic milestone, the firm is developing an internal combustion engine which is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel of the future.
Chairman Anthony Bamford gave the King an insight into the hydrogen technology during a tour of JCB’s Innovation Centre in Rocester, where he was shown one of the first JCB diggers to be powered by hydrogen.
The visit also helped to mark another milestone for JCB – the production of the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger – an invention which replaced men with shovels, pickaxes, and hods and mechanised the labour-intensive process of digging holes and earthmoving around the world.
Lord Bamford said, “It is a real honour for us all that that the King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”
The King was welcomed on arrival by Lord and Lady Bamford, George Bamford, and JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald, before going on a tour of the backhoe loader production line where he helped fit a wheel to a JCB digger.
His Majesty met apprentices Matthew Walker-Stack, 19, of Rugeley; Freddie McCool, 19, of Lichfield; and Eleanor Pitt, of Derby, who is only the second ever female welding apprentice to join the company. He also spoke to Richard Williams, general manager of the backhoe loader business unit, who has worked at JCB for 38 years. Also introduced to the King were Richard’s wife Sarah, who has worked for JCB for almost 35 years and his son Josh, a paint plant operative and daughter Kaitlan, who works in production support.
The visit concluded in the main reception of JCB’s World HQ where The King was shown the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger, which recently rolled off the company’s Rocester production line.
His Majesty was greeted by applause from more than 60 guests, including members of two families who have a combined service to JCB approaching 1,000 years. Bill Boot first clocked on at JCB in 1949 and 27 members of his family have gone on to work at the company and nine current Boot family employees, including Bill’s great-grandson Leigh, were in attendance.
Ken Harrison, now aged 100, one of the last surviving members of the 1953 team which produced the first JCB backhoe loaders, was also there with family members. Ken and his relatives have amassed more than 350 years’ service to JCB.
Also among the guests in the main reception were long-serving and retired employees and former JCB Academy students. JCB-sponsored athlete Adam Burgess, sporting his Olympic silver medal, also made an appearance.
His Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark his visit and as he stepped outside to leave, he was met by the cheers of thousands of flag-waving World HQ JCB employees who lined the route of his departure.
