King Charles marked JCB's 80th anniversary with a visit to the company's factory, celebrating the British manufacturing giant's remarkable journey since its founding in 1945.
The construction equipment manufacturer, now the world's third largest by volume, welcomed His Majesty to its extensive facilities where he met with employees and apprentices.
JCB, which operates twenty-two plants across four continents, has grown from its humble beginnings to become one of Britain's most successful family businesses.
The company reached a significant milestone earlier this year with the production of its one millionth backhoe loader, a machine originally invented by JCB's founder, the late Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE.
King Charles marked JCB's 80th anniversary with a visit to the company's factory, celebrating the British manufacturing giant's remarkable journey since its founding in 1945.
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The visit highlighted JCB's continued importance as a major UK employer, with 7,500 people working across its British operations.
During his tour, His Majesty walked the backhoe loader assembly line, observing the wheel-fitting process of the iconic digger.
The King met with apprentices and long-serving employees along with their families, reflecting JCB's commitment to apprenticeships that dates back to 1964.
In the company's Innovation Centre, His Majesty viewed JCB's groundbreaking hydrogen-powered machinery.
The King met with apprentices and long-serving employees along with their families, reflecting JCB's commitment to apprenticeships that dates back to 1964.
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The hydrogen combustion engine, developed by 150 engineers, marks JCB as the first construction equipment company to achieve this technological milestone.
The company's World Headquarters, set across 175 acres, provides extensive facilities for its 4,500 employees, including on-site medical services such as a dentist, physiotherapist and doctors.
A demonstration of the hydrogen machine's refuelling process was also included in the royal tour.
The visit underscored JCB's strong royal connections, with the company being awarded a Royal Warrant earlier this year.
The King's association with JCB spans decades, including his first visit to the company in 1977 as Prince of Wales.
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The King's association with JCB spans decades, including his first visit to the company in 1977 as Prince of Wales.
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In 2011, then as Prince of Wales, he and the current Queen, then Duchess of Cornwall, opened the JCB Academy.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary celebration, His Majesty unveiled a plaque in the reception area, alongside the company's milestone one-millionth digger.
The ceremony was attended by both current and former JCB employees, including apprentices, highlighting the company's legacy of workforce development.
The visit celebrated not only JCB's industrial achievements but also its continued commitment to British manufacturing and innovation.
