JCB Hits Major Milestone with 1,000,000th Backhoe

JCB has hit a historic milestone with the production and delivery of its one millionth backhoe loader—solidifying its leadership in the highly competitive construction industry.

More than 70 years after the very first JCB backhoe rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire, the British construction equipment giant has celebrated the milestone by presenting the 1,000,000th machine—a 4CX model—to its chairman, Lord Anthony Bamford.

Hundreds of JCB employees recently gathered to witness the historic event, including 100-year-old Ken Harrison, a retired JCB welder who was part of the original production team for the very first backhoes in the early 1950s. 

Harrison, who joined JCB in 1952, remains one of the few surviving members of the original team and proudly watched as the latest milestone machine was unveiled.

Graffiti-style artwork

The one millionth 4CX backhoe, however, isn’t just any ordinary machine. It features striking graffiti-style artwork by London-based mural artist Hatch, whose real name is Dave Smith. 

Hatch’s hand-drawn custom design was inspired by a visit to the JCB museum, where he explored the company’s rich history. His vibrant art on the machine celebrates JCB’s heritage, referencing its evolution and impact in the construction industry.

JCB’s path to this landmark moment began in 1953, when the company manufactured its first backhoe. Christened Mark One, the backhoe changed the construction world by introducing hydraulic power into machines, making JCB a pioneer in the industry.

RELATED: JCB Unveils Next-Gen 3CX and 4CX Backhoe Loaders

The original backhoe was built in a small facility that once operated as a cheese factory in Rocester, a far cry from the global manufacturing powerhouse JCB has become today.

Lord Bamford, reflecting on the company’s humble beginnings, said: “I am the only person in the business now who can remember the early days when we first started to make backhoes in what was a former cheese factory in Rocester. Looking back, I could never have imagined that we would make one million of these diggers after such humble beginnings.”

The milestone was celebrated in style with a parade of 16 backhoes spanning JCB’s history, from the 1954 Mark One to the latest 2025 models. 

Employees lined the roads outside JCB’s headquarters to witness this procession, which ended with the unveiling of the one millionth backhoe, symbolising decades of innovation and growth.

Remarkable growth

While it took JCB 59 years to produce the first 500,000 backhoes, the next 500,000 were manufactured in just 13 years. 

JCB backhoes are today made in the UK, India, and Brazil, and shipped to 120 countries.

The company has kept innovating with its backhoe models, including the next-generation 3CX and 4CX loaders, which were unveiled at the 2025 ARA Show.

These new models have upgraded transmissions for better road performance, reinforcing the company’s reputation for efficiency and innovation.

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