Staffordshire-based
JCB has delivered some festive cheer to thousands of UK employees in the form of a £750 Christmas bonus which will be paid to more than 6,000 employees. This includes agency employees with over 12 months’ service that work at JCB’s 11 plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham.
Lord Bamford, JCB’s chairman, said: “This year has been a solid one for JCB and demand for our machines going into next year is very strong. The whole team can be proud of what has been achieved in 2021 and I am delighted that we can reward everyone’s efforts with a Christmas bonus.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald added: “This year we will produce a record number of machines and this bonus rewards a tremendous team effort. However, we are still facing severe challenges caused by unprecedented supply chain disruption which is impacting on production, and we expect this to continue for the first six months of next year.”
Toby Bell, 27, of The Westlands, Newcastle, is a business degree apprentice at JCB’s Headquarters in Rocester, Staffs, and this is his first JCB Christmas bonus. Toby said: “It’s a big motivator to get rewarded like this and a real boost. It’s really kind of JCB to give us a Christmas bonus and to be recognised for the hard work everyone has put in this year.”
Early careers scheme leader Holly Broadhurst, 27, of Leek, said: “This has come as a really fantastic surprise. It’s tremendous that everyone’s hard work and dedication has been rewarded.”
Backhoe loader team leader Kevin Pickles, 40, of Mickleover, near Derby, said: “It is brilliant. Everyone is buzzing in the factory today. It is going to give my two kids, Freddie, five and Amelia, two, a great Christmas.”
Great ChristmasBackhoe Loader Production Support Specialist Kait Williams, 21, of Church Leigh, near Uttoxeter, added: “It is brilliant news. This bonus is going to give everyone a great Christmas.”
GMB, the union for JCB workers, said the bonus to more than 6,000 UK-based workers is a reward for the commitment members have shown during the pandemic. Stuart Harrison, GMB organiser, said: “The commitment from our members and JCB employees should be applauded during these difficult times. The workforce has shown support and flexibility which has helped the company become the success it is.
"JCB must now continue to invest in its highly-skilled workforce and make sure that UK manufacturing is valued. All of our members at JCB will now enjoy their Christmas break and return on better terms and conditions.”