JCB has plans to open a new logistics hub in North Staffs that will create hundreds of new jobs.
The world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment will create a new logistics hub in the environmentally-friendly Blue Planet warehouse on the Chatterley Valley site, Newcastle-under-Lyme, augmenting the 11 UK plants and 11 overseas plants JCB currently own.
The distribution hub will be commissioned this month and by the end of the year will employ around 60 people. Employment levels are expected to rise to more than 300 people once the facility becomes fully operational in the next two years.
The move will provide positive investment for Staffordshire as JCB has agreed a long-term lease for the building and has been conditionally offered £2.9m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to support job creation on the site and to provide training programmes.
In addition, the company has also signed an option to purchase an adjacent 7.7 acres of land from Newcastle Borough Council to facilitate future expansion.
Business secretary Vince Cable highlighted the importance of the construction sector to boosting industry growth.
“We need growth that is more evenly balanced across the country. That is why we are supporting firms such as JCB through the Regional Growth Fund, which will enhance their infrastructure and bring long-term employment to the area.
“Our recent construction industrial strategy underlines the importance of the sector to the economy and is a further boost to the industry as a whole. It will attract further investment and create jobs at an important manufacturing hub in Staffordshire.”
JCB CEO, Alan Blake, said he was delighted the company will be creating jobs in the county where the construction manufacturer started.
“Staffordshire is where JCB’s business started nearly 68 years ago and I’m delighted that our latest expansion is creating jobs in the county which has been our home for so long. Staffordshire is a fantastic place to do business and this site offers some huge advantages for JCB, particularly with transport links to the A500 and M6.
“We are delighted to have been offered funding from the Regional Growth Fund to facilitate future growth on the site. We also thank Newcastle Borough Council for their support in reaching what is another milestone in JCB’s commitment to Staffordshire.”
