(March 2016) – A group of JCB Construction Equipment Australia (CEA) dealers and staff travelled to Europe in January to see where the products they sell every day are manufactured, while receiving valuable product training across the JCB product line.
The trip saw 50 JCB dealers and JCBCEA staff visit the JCB World Headquarters in Staffordshire, UK, where they were given the opportunity to experience the manufacturing and assembly facilities of some of the company’s leading products including the mini excavator, heavy excavator, backhoe loader, telehandler and the JCB Engine plant.
JCB CEA National Compact Equipment Manager, Phil Withell, said the goal of the trip was to bring the sales network together, provide the sales team with the “JCB experience” and further their knowledge and understanding of the brand.
“To do this, the first step was experiencing the “Story of JCB” exhibition at the JCB World Headquarters. The exhibition features full-size JCB machines including the original backhoe; the world’s fastest diesel powered vehicle – the JCB Dieselmax; and a replica of the original garage where JCB began 70 years ago,” Phil said.
“The entire facility was an investment of £5 million, with an aim to provide visitors with a clear picture of JCB’s DNA, through multiple displays and video presentations of JCB’s products and their history.
“The exhibition helped our team develop a real understanding of JCB’s heritage and future vision. The experience will help dealers and sales staff provide greater value in their future interactions with their customers.”
After the UK, the group travelled to a quarry site in La Manga, Spain, for product and industry training sessions.
“The La Manga experience was part of a JCB global training initiative which included participants from Europe and the UK. The sessions focussed on industry segments such as agriculture, waste and recycling, and specific product applications were customised to address Australian conditions and applications. There was also training on new products and marketing concepts which will be released later in 2016,” Phil said.
“Our sales team came away from this experience with a continued passion for the JCB company and brand, having seen its transformation and history, to where the machines they sell are produced and manufactured, they left with a feeling of excitement of what the future holds for JCB and their continued innovations.”