JCB celebrates millionth backhoe

JCB celebrated a major machine milestone in January 2025 with the production of its one millionth backhoe loader, arguably the most successful piece of equipment in the company’s arsenal.

The first JCB backhoe rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire in 1953 called the Mark One.

In the first full year of production in 1954, just 35 of the machines were built and it took more than 20 years for the first 50,000 to be made. It took 59 years for the first half million JCB backhoes to be manufactured – but less than 13 years for the next half million to be produced.

JCB now manufactures backhoe loaders in the UK, India, Brazil and remains one of the most versatile and popular machines in the world.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, JCB organised a cavalcade of 16 backhoes through the ages, ranging from a 1954 Mark I to a 2025 3CX model, watched by company Chairman Anthony Bamford and hundreds of employees lining the road outside JCB’s World HQ.

Also joining in the celebrations was retired JCB employee Ken Harrison, aged 100, who joined JCB as a welder in 1952 when only 29 people worked on the shop floor. Ken, one of the last known survivors of the production team that built the first JCB backhoes, retired 36 years later in 1988.

“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,” said Lord Bamford.  

“Looking back at that time, I could never have imagined that we would make one million of these diggers after such humble beginnings. Looking back is a fun thing to do but it’s always been JCB’s way to look forward and I’m looking forward to the production of the next one million backhoes.”

JCB has always invested heavily in its backhoe loader range and an early catalyst for growth was in 1980 which saw the £24 million launch of the technologically advanced 3CX. Later, JCB launched backhoes powered by JCB’s Dieselmax engines which the company claims saved customers up to 11 per cent in fuel costs.

JCB further claims its 3CX Pro is the fastest backhoe loader in the world, capable of speeds up to 50km/h which reduces travel time between sites.

As well as backhoes, JCB also manufactures Loadall telescopic handers, tracked and wheeled excavators, wheeled loading shovels, mini and micro excavators, skid steer loaders, track loaders, compaction equipment, rough terrain forklifts and Fastrac tractors.

JCB backhoes are currently sold in 120 different countries.

The one millionth JCB backhoe produced was a 4CX model, which has been decorated in graffiti art by London-based artist and illustrator Dave Smith, and presented to Lord Bamford at the celebrations.