Bulldozer-maker JCB in spotlight as British PM Boris Johnson visits factory in Gujarat: Interesting facts to know

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited British heavy equipment maker JCB plant in Vadodara, Gujarat on April 22. The UK PM’s visit attracted the attention of netizens as JCB is one of the biggest industrial machinery makers and is famous for 3dx backhoe loaders also called bulldozer. However, JCB is not just famous for its heavy machinery, but strikes the eye of netizens when it comes to memes. Here are some lesser-known fun facts about JCB: 

Why JCB is in yellow colour only?

Ever wondered why all JCB machines are yellow in colour? On a building site or quarry, the machines are more in yellow than any other colour due to safety purposes. However, on the basis of customer's need and preference, green and red are the next most common colours for JCB.  

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Naming of JCB

The JCB is named after its founder Joseph Cyril Bamford, however, in the Oxford English dictionary, JCB is defined as “a type of mechanical excavator with a shovel at the front and a digging arm at the rear.”

JCB in India

JCB India started as a joint venture in 1979 and is now a fully owned subsidiary of J.C Bamford Excavators, United Kingdom. They have five factories in India, and exports to more than 110 countries. JCB introduced the iconic Backhoe Loader in India over four decades ago. The Ballabgarh factory near New Delhi, which is the world’s largest factory for Backhoe Loaders, is also the Headquarters for JCB India. PM Boris Johnson visited the company's plant in Halol, Gujarat. 

JCB memes are netizen's favourite

Back in 1960s, founder of JCB, Mr JCB himself began the tradition of stunting in the heavy machinery. Driving a car under a machine raised up on JCB’s hydraulic arms showed the versatility and power of the machine and started the world-famous JCB Dancing Diggers displays. Further, movies like Khatta-Meetha and the famous web series Sacred games on Netflix did make the JCB meme game stronger. 

#WATCH UK PM Boris Johnson along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visits JCB factory at Halol GIDC, Panchmahal in Gujarat

(Source: UK Pool) pic.twitter.com/Wki9PKAsDA — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2022

JCB products in India

Although JCB has a wide variety of products in India, they are known for the iconic backhoe loader 3DX. The 3DX was also the first product of JCB ever. Once a rugged machine, the new age JCB 3DX comes with digital speedometer, Bluetooth music system, colour display, auto-stop feature, among others. It has a maximum dig capacity of 4.77 metre and a 36 KW engine with a Maximum Lift Capacity of 1490 kg. There are further versions of the backhoe loader including 2DX, 3DX Plus to name a few.

JCB holds three world speed records!

JCB has made three "world’s fastest" speed records for 1) world's fastest diesel-powered vehicle (2006 - 350 mph), 2) world’s fastest Backhoe Loader (2014 - 72 mph) and 3) world’s fastest Tractor (2019 - 135 mph). The record breaking tractor was driven by Guy Martin and was filmed as a part of a feature programme on Channel 4. 

JCB in popular culture

Since the mid 90’s JCB has been the subject of many songs, especially in the UK. In 1958, Lenny Green had a song called JCB and Me, followed by Seamus Moore (who calls himself the ‘JCB Man’) recorded the famous JCB song. Further, in 2005, Nizlopi band gave a no. 1 hit with ‘The JCB Song.’ 

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JCB and Formula One

JCB machines and branding have featured around F1 (Formula One) racetracks in recent years. Apart from official sponsor partnerships firstly with Williams and most recently with Racing Point F1, JCB Telescopic Handlers (Loadalls) are used on many circuits to rescue and recover F1 cars that have come off the track!

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