HUNDREDS of JCB employees today joined in the celebrations as the company was presented with a Queen's Award honouring the export success of its most famous product.
The accolade was for the business unit which produces the machine known simply as a JCB, the world renowned backhoe loader which first went into production 55 years ago. The product continues to go from strength to strength and now more than one-in-three of the machines sold around the globe is made by the company, making JCB the world's biggest manufacturer of this product.
Today the Backhoe Loader Business Unit was presented with a Queen's Award for Enterprise by HM Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr James Hawley, the Queen's representative in the county. The Award was handed over to JCB CEO Matthew Taylor at a special ceremony at the World HQ at Rocester watched by many of the 800 employees involved in its manufacture.
Matthew Taylor said: "A Queen's Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a UK company and it showcases JCB's success on the world stage. It is a fitting tribute to every JCB employee who contributes to its success and everyone involved deserves congratulations."
Mr Hawley said: "JCB has achieved a remarkable record, probably unmatched nationally, for the number of Queen's Awards it has won. Such a performance is a tribute to all those who have been part of this huge success. Staffordshire can be greatly proud of the company."
The Queen's Award honoured a substantial growth in exports of the backhoe loader between 2004 and 2006 when sales increased by more than 35 per cent. The JCB Group has now won 23 Queen's Awards since winning its first in 1969. Uttoxeter-based JCB Service was also a recipient in 2008 and will be presented with its award later this year.