DIGGER-MAKER JCB is celebrating record results. Sales at the Rocester-based company soared to £2.75 billion in 2011, which was up 37 per cent from £2 billion the year before and the highest level in its 66-year history. ​ Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation also reached a record high at £355 million, which was up from £235 million in 2010. And bosses revealed JCB now employs 10,500 people worldwide and 6,100 in the UK; more than it has ever done before. A total of 5,500 of those employees work in Staffordshire, 500 more than before the recession began. And the firm is looking to fill another 100 engineering vacancies across its UK factories in Rocester, Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Rugeley, Derby and Wrexham. Directors hailed the efforts of JCB's workers to help it bounce back from the "dark days" of the recession, which saw it shed about 1,800 employees. Chief executive Alan Blake said: "We are very proud of these results, they are really good news for JCB and the area." Chief operating officer Graeme Macdonald added: "We have got some great employees here, and the results are a reflection of the whole team, they have done a fantastic job." JCB sold 69,100 machines worldwide last year, up from 51,600 in 2010 and just shy of its 2007 record when it sold more than 72,000. Directors revealed the results ahead of an appearance at the Intermat construction equipment trade show in Paris today, where they will be unveiling a record 66 new products. The firm said it is continuing to invest in manufacturing both in the UK and abroad. It is planning to spend £3 million on a new machining centre for backhoe loaders at Rocester and its new £63 million factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is nearing completion. Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley said: "When JCB is doing well, the whole area thrives, so this is great news. "Back in 2008 when we really started feeling the impact of the credit crunch I visited a lot of local businesses that rely on JCB because they supply them. "JCB does great, British-made products and one of the great things about them is that they will use local suppliers wherever possible." JCB is the world's third-largest construction equipment manufacturer and last year it maintained its position as the number one manufacturer of backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers. Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, pictured, said: "This record financial performance has been delivered on the back of very strong growth in both traditional markets and the emerging economies. "We are well placed to seize new opportunities for growth."

Tax experts estimate that £180m of annual refunds could be going unclaimed by construction workers. Research by tax refund specialist RIFT found that up to 518,650 permanent construction employees could be eligible for money back on travel between temporary workplaces. The company said that PAYE construction operatives like labourers, ground workers and brick layers are failing to claim these expenses back unlike self-employed workers who deduct travel expenses as part of their annual self-assessment tax returns. Jan Post, Managing Director of RIFT, said: “It’s a national scandal that thousands of hard working people are missing out on tax refunds that are rightfully theirs while some of the richest people have been handed a tax cut in the recent Budget announcement. “We estimate that there could be as much as £180 million pounds floating around HMRC that could be putting food on peoples’ tables who aren’t earning sky high salaries.” Derek Flowers, a construction worker from Deal in Kent, said: “Money is tight at the moment, and we should be able to get back any tax that we are entitled too. It’s galling to read about the rich paying a smaller proportion of their income in tax than I do when they’re earning millions.”

Osborne makes construction MD redundant Grant Prior | Wed 21st March | 17:30 inShare 1 Osborne construction managing director Keith Taylor has been made redundant. Taylor was head of the construction and homes business and is the highest profile casualty of a slimming-down of the firm’s management structure. Taylor joined Osborne from Mansell in August 2010. David Fison, Chief Executive of Osborne, said: “Keith did a great job, especially in a difficult market, but it became clear that the extra stage in the reporting line that his role created meant that we were not operating as efficiently as we could. “It was therefore decided, with regret, that to streamline the process, our sector heads would report directly into board director Phil Shortman from now on instead.” Phil Shortman joined Osborne in January 2008 as managing director of its Construction Division and was promoted to the company board as executive director in January 2009.

Bids invited for £25m road upgrades near M60 The search has started to find a contractor to deliver a series of road improvements bundled up into the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme. The civils works around Salford include realigning the existing A57, a mile-long new dual carriageway link to Trafford Way and a new lift bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal. Improvements to local roads and junctions are also involved in the project to improve access to the area and boost regeneration. WGIS improvements are needed as part of developer Peel Group’s Port of Salford development to reduce traffic on local roads and relieve peak time congestions on the M60 Barton Bridge. One of the major challenges for a successful contractor will be coping with many stakeholders in the Western gateway project which include the Highways Agency, Manchester Ship Canal Company, Salford City and Trafford Borough Councils, The Trafford Centre and Salford City Reds. Firms have until 24 April to express an interest in bidding. Contact Donna Fletcher at Gleeds’ Manchester office or email wgis@gleeds.co.uk

EASI UPLIFTS INVESTS Irish-based international rental company Easi uplifts has launched a substantial capital investment program for 2012 ,with sizeable order for JLG boom and scissor lifts along with Teupen sider lifts.The bulk of the JLG order is for 60 and 80 foot telescopic and articulated booms and two 150 foot (47 mtr working height)JLG1500SJ the worlds largest self-propelled boom lift.The new lifts will be added to Easi UPlift big boom fleet and will be available for re-rent throughout Europe.

Hope you are well! You are cordially invited to our Speedy Showcase, a roadshow demonstrating the very latest safe, lean, green and specialist products/services, from over 30 innovative manufacturers...and lots more! Would be great to see you and catch up! More info and free registration at www.speedyshowcase.co.uk , feel free to invite anyone else who may like to come along! Haydock Racecourse, Merseyside, Tues 20 March Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Thurs 22 March RICOH Arena, Coventry, Tues 27 March Epsom Racecourse, Surrey, Thurs 29 March Reply

Change in the Plant Hire Sector

From time to time many industries change, even those which have a massive amount of history such as construction.  However some take longer to change than others.

We have noticed a large increase in the number of visitors we have to the Plant Hire Directory over the past 18 months.  We assumed that this was due to only our marketing.  However recent feedback has led us to learn that it is the industry that is changing with more people hunting online for information and services.

They see it as a time saving resource that can be used on a daily basis.  We are really pleased with this move and it stabilises us within the online sector as providing services to the construction industry.