From Rental Pulse: JCB, Rocester, U.K., has invested more than £50 million (US$65.8 million) in a new British plant, which could create hundreds of jobs and double production of cabs used on its machines.

Work is under way on a 350,000-sq.-ft. facility for JCB Cab Systems adjacent to the A50 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, U.K., next to two existing JCB plants. The high-tech factory will have the capacity to produce around 100,000 cabs a year. It will include a computer-controlled production line, fully-automated painting facility and robotic welding, potentially creating more than 200 new jobs by 2022.

“This new factory will be the most advanced and productive cab facility in the world and will bring even greater levels of efficiency to the business," said Graeme Macdonald, JCB CEO. "The investment is one of the biggest in the company’s history and underlines our commitment to manufacturing in Britain and in our home county of Staffordshire.”

JCB Cab Systems currently employs more than 400 people at its existing site in Rugeley, Staffs, U.K. The new plant is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019.

“While new jobs will be created, moving to the new factory will enable us to double capacity without doubling the workforce thanks to high levels of automation,” said David Carver, JCB Cab Systems’ general manager. "The whole plant is being designed to improve productivity, reduce waste and provide unprecedented quality levels.