Over 5,000 JCB employees shared in a Christmas bonus worth more than £2 million. The pay-out saw employees at
the firm’s 11 plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham benefit by around £400 each.

The announcement was made three days after it was revealed that they had voted in favour of a 2.2% pay rise linked to November’s Retail Price Index as part a new three-year deal.

The Christmas bonus came in a year in which JCB launched the Hydradig excavator — a brand-new product innovation that generated hundreds of new orders and created around 85 jobs at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter.

Last year also saw the production of the 100,000th JCB mini excavator and the 200,000th Loadall telescopic handler (pictured), plus the presentation of three Queen’s Awards and the centenary of the birth of JCB’s founder, Joseph Cyril Bamford.

CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “While global construction equipment markets remained fragile during 2016, JCB made some good progress and grew its share in a declining market.

“We expect continued market fragility in 2017, but we retain a degree of confidence driven by the recent introduction of innovative new products. I was delighted that Lord Bamford agreed to award a Christmas bonus in 2016, and I thank everyone for their commitment and hard work in such a difficult economic climate.”

Luke Ellis, 25, of Stone, said: “Receiving a Christmas bonus was a great way to round off the year. It gave everyone a real buzz.”