JCB and Lord Bamford turn 80

It was a day of double celebration for JCB as the iconic British machinery maker marked both its 80th anniversary and Chairman Lord Bamford’s 80th birthday last week.

Founded in a small lock-up garage in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, by Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE on October 23, 1945—the same day his son Anthony (now Lord Bamford) was born—JCB has grown from a one-man operation into a global manufacturing powerhouse.

The celebrations began with Lord Bamford unveiling a blue heritage plaque at the original garage site in Uttoxeter, where his father built his first farm trailer from wartime scrap metal.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Lord Bamford said, “As we celebrate JCB’s 80th birthday, it’s wonderful to be back at the spot where it all began...I’m delighted that in a small way we can highlight where it all began and reflect on the continuing importance of our home county of Staffordshire.”

Later, at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester, more than 3500 employees lined the pathways to welcome Lord Bamford and celebrate the brand’s milestone. A spectacular machine cavalcade followed, showcasing landmark models developed under his leadership—including the first Loadall, the record-breaking JCBGT backhoe, the Fastrac tractor, and hydrogen-powered equipment.

Eight former students of the JCB Academy who have forged successful careers with the company joined the procession. Lord Bamford founded the school in 2010 with the vision of producing the engineers and business leaders of the future.

Members of the crowd also got to see the unveiling of a special JCB 3CX ‘Backhoe in a Box’ - a life-size 3CX Sitemaster backhoe packaged in the same way as its 1:32 scale models. It will be displayed beside the JCB lake until January 2026.

JCB CEO, Graeme Macdonald, paid tribute to Lord Bamford’s leadership, noting that under his tenure JCB has grown from a single UK factory to 22 plants worldwide, employing more than 19,000 people. “JCB has been backing Britain since 1945—and with renewed energy under his leadership,” he said.

The day concluded with a private celebration at JCB’s headquarters, attended by staff past and present, marking eight decades of British engineering innovation and family-led success.