JCB’s innovation recognised as vital step in transition to a low-carbon future as UK gears up for construction-led economic recovery The MacRobert Award is the UK’s most prestigious and longest running prize for engineering. The Royal Academy of Engineering has recently announced JCB’s electric digger (19C-1E) as the winner of
One of the world’s largest JCB dealers has broken new ground by commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz vans, most of which are being used by mobile service engineers who provide customers with round-the-clock back-up. Greenshields JCB sells and supports the manufacturer’s renowned range of construction and industrial machinery from headquarters
Paul Jennings, the Managing Director of JCB Finance has announced the launch of a campaign to offer more support to SMEs operating in the industrial sector when exploring external funding. New research that was commissioned by JCB Finance has uncovered that more than a quarter of those who responded to
Greenshields JCB has taken a £35 million order from A-Plant for 1,200 machines. It is one of the biggest orders JCB has received this year but is not as big as A-Plant’s JCB order last year, which was a £50 million order for 1,500 machines. The 2016 order includes a
JCB’s innovation recognised as vital step in transition to a low-carbon future as UK gears up for construction-led economic recovery The MacRobert Award is the UK’s most prestigious and longest running prize for engineering. The Royal Academy of Engineering has recently announced JCB’s electric digger (19C-1E) as the winner of the 2020 MacRobert Award, the most prestigious prize for UK engineering innovation. The winning team receive a £50,000 prize and a gold medal. The 19C-1E excavator is the world’s first volume-produced fully electric digger and with it, JCB has shown it is possible to make powerful construction machinery without an internal combustion engine. To date, the current fleet has saved the equivalent of 15,100kg in CO2 emissions across 5,616 hours of work, but if used across the global construction sector, which contributes 39% of all carbon emissions, these savings could reach billions of tonnes. JCB’s winning team are; Tim Burnhope FREng, Chief Innovation Officer, Bob Womersley, Director of Advanced Engineering, Lee Harper, Chief Engineer – Electrified Machines, Lee Milward, Design Manager, and Corey Smith, Test and Development Manager. The announcement is especially timely following the Prime Minister’s commitment to putting building and construction at the centre of the government’s plan for the UK’s economic recovery. As well as significantly reducing carbon emissions, the electric digger has zero exhaust emissions and very low noise levels. This combination makes it much better suited than traditional construction vehicles to operating inside buildings or in areas where noise must be kept to a minimum, for example near hospitals and schools. JCB, the iconic British brand and world leader in the manufacture of construction and agricultural equipment, launched the digger in 2019 and has already sold hundreds of the machines. The MacRobert Award judges lauded JCB for demonstrating the utility of electric machines in a construction setting and the potential for future innovation to boost sustainability in the sector. The hope is that this entry could do for the construction sector what the double MacRobert Award winner Johnson Matthey did for the motor industry with the catalytic converter, which has stopped hundreds of millions of tonnes of pollution from entering the atmosphere. Professor Sir Richard Friend FREng FRS, Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award judging panel, said: “JCB’s electric digger is a huge engineering achievement. The team has developed all parts of the electric propulsion system to deliver system performance that matches real customer requirements. This is a huge achievement in itself, but the additional benefits of zero exhaust emissions and much lower noise has lifted the 19C-1E excavator to a new level. The digger is more than a great bit of engineering, however. It has the power to be the catalyst for change in an industry that is responsible for around 10% of all of the UK’s carbon emissions.” JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “To win one of the world’s most respected engineering prizes is an outstanding endorsement for JCB’s electrification team, who have achieved so much in applying a science which was new to our business. JCB’s electric mini excavator will contribute to a zero carbon future and help make the world more sustainable. It’s a huge honour for our contribution to be recognised in this way.” JCB’s electric digger was selected by the MacRobert Award judging panel in competition with the other shortlisted finalists: the all-electric I-PACE sports utility vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover and ecoSMRT® liquid natural gas reliquification technology from Babcock’s LGE business. The MacRobert Award is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering with support from the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Since 1969 it has recognised engineering achievements that demonstrate outstanding innovation, tangible societal benefit and proven commercial success. The first award in 1969 was made jointly for two iconic innovations: to Rolls-Royce for the Pegasus engine used in the Harrier jump jet, and to Freeman, Fox and Partners for aerodynamic deck design of the Severn Bridge. Other former winning innovations include: Allowing doctors to see inside the human body with the CT scanner invented at EMI (1972 MacRobert Award winner). Raising one of the world’s largest structures – the Millennium Dome, now the O2, engineered by Buro Happold (1999 MacRobert Award winner). Creating a computer the size of a credit card – Raspberry Pi (2017 MacRobert Award winner). Diagnosing cancer through a simple breath test – the ReCIVA breath biopsy developed by Owlstone Medical (2018 MacRobert Award winner). MacRobert Award winners are chosen by an expert panel of Academy Fellows, who have vast experience across engineering industry and academia. This year’s MacRobert Award will be marked by a debate ‘Powering net zero Britain – the current ideas’ – a MacRobert Award discussion presented by the Royal Academy of Engineering To mark the 51st year of the MacRobert Award, the most prestigious prize for UK engineering innovation, the Royal Academy of Engineering is assembling an expert panel to discuss how British engineers can apply their creativity to decarbonise our homes, travel and workplaces while creating jobs and a better environment for all over the next 30 years. Chaired by Helen Czerski, physicist and presenter, the panel will include: Professor Sir Richard Friend FREng FRS, Chair of the MacRobert Award judges Dervilla Mitchell CBE FREng, Chair of the National Engineering Policy Centre’s Net Zero emissions working group. Tim Burnhope FREng, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at JCB Dr Enass Abo-Hamed, co-founder and CEO of energy storage firm H2GO Power.
One of the world’s largest JCB dealers has broken new ground by commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz vans, most of which are being used by mobile service engineers who provide customers with round-the-clock back-up. Greenshields JCB sells and supports the manufacturer’s renowned range of construction and industrial machinery from headquarters in Farnham, Surrey, and six other strategically located depots throughout the South-East. The new fleet of 22 vehicles arrived via Rossetts Commercials, which represents the three-pointed star in Surrey and Sussex. They were painted on line at the Mercedes-Benz factory in their distinctive shade of yellow. All but two of the new vans are 3.5-tonne Sprinters, which have been distributed throughout Greenshields JCB’s branch network. They are assigned to members of its 65-strong team of field engineers, who undertake on-site maintenance and repair of equipment – storage conversion specialist Bott racked out the vehicles’ cargo areas to carry tools and a comprehensive stock of spare parts. The Sprinters are all Medium-length Sprinter 314 CDI models with fuel-efficient 143 hp engines, comfortable, well-equipped cabs, and reassuring safety armouries which include reversing cameras. The two other vans are a mid-sized Vito 114 CDI Long, which has been allocated to a senior technician-trainer, and a small Citan 109 CDI Long, now being driven by a workshop foreman. Greenshields JCB has previously favoured another high-profile van brand. Like the two other manufacturers’ dealers also vying for Greenshields’ business, Rossetts Commercials supplied a series of vehicles for trial before finally landing the prestigious order. Key to Greenshields’ decision to partner with Mercedes-Benz was the promise of efficient, 24-hour after sales support from Rossetts and its fellow franchisees with workshops in their new customer’s area of operation. They will be servicing Greenshields’ new vans under Repair and Maintenance Contracts. Simon Hoare, the JCB dealer’s General Manager – Aftermarket, explained: “We guarantee a four-hour response time to machine breakdowns, though we’re often at the customer’s site a lot more quickly. If we’re to make good on this pledge it’s essential that our own vans are reliable, and that if the worst happens we’ll get the support we need.” Like all Mercedes-Benz Vans, Greenshields JCB’s new fleet came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free emergency roadside assistance, as well as three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranties. “We liked the sound of the Mercedes-Benz back-up,” said Mr Hoare. “Its workshops are open through the night, which should mean that our vans are always available for work when we need them, while the MobiloVan breakdown cover was also an important ‘plus’.” He continued: “The Mercedes-Benz demonstrators were well received by our engineers, and they couldn’t be happier with their new vans. From the company’s point of view, meanwhile, the all-round quality and premium image of these vehicles can only complement our own brand.” Mr Hoare also praised the customer-focused manner of Rossetts’ response to Greenshields’ initial enquiry. “Of the three dealers we invited to tender, the Mercedes-Benz representative was the most professional, and provided the best experience by far,” he recalled. “Rossetts’ Van Sales Executive Tracey Stewart was always available and extremely efficient in replying quickly to our requests for information and quotations, while also providing product literature and other materials for our engineers that was much appreciated.” Greenshields JCB still operates another 50 vans by its previous vehicle supplier. “We plan to replace the balance of the fleet over the next 24 months, and if the manufacturer and Dealer deliver on their pledge then there is a strong likelihood that Greenshields JCB will become a significant Mercedes-Benz user,” added Mr Hoare. www.greenshieldsjcb.com
Paul Jennings, the Managing Director of JCB Finance has announced the launch of a campaign to offer more support to SMEs operating in the industrial sector when exploring external funding. New research that was commissioned by JCB Finance has uncovered that more than a quarter of those who responded to the survey who had bank loans or overdrafts said that they felt that they felt a lower level of risk to their personal assets than was explained when borrowing from the bank. Following the results from this research, JCB Finance has launched a campaign to offer more assistance to SMEs in industry and ensure that they have better access to the funding that can help them increase their financial capital equipment without having to use the unnecessary security of their personal assets. As a part of this campaign the company will also be launching a range of exciting new services. It is important for JCB Finance to offer their customers reassurance and understanding as well as services that have been tailored to meet their customer’s’ needs. Big banks have recently been withdrawing funding for small businesses during an uncertain period when they need it the most. JCB Finance are doing the opposite and making the effort to make sure that they can offer the support that smaller businesses need to thrive and expand. JCB Finance are working to deliver support with asset finance, with hire purchase and leasing to help the smallest of companies to obtain the resources that are required to operate while also protecting the company’s capital. The research carried out by the JCB Finance also emphasised the variety of different preferences that customers have in terms of the arrangement of their finance facilities. Over half of the respondents prefer face to face meetings, whereas a quarter prefers telephone conversations. The survey also showed that 41% of SMEs find it difficult to find time in conventional office hours to arrange finance, with more than half also concerned with the cyber security of such transactions. Because of this JCB Finance will be launching their Online and Sign Online platforms that will allow for the secure and convenient signing of finance agreements with no need for printing, scanning and emailing. Customers using these platforms will also be able to access details about the agreement as well as correspondence to allow them to plan their cash flow more effectively.
Greenshields JCB has taken a £35 million order from A-Plant for 1,200 machines. It is one of the biggest orders JCB has received this year but is not as big as A-Plant’s JCB order last year, which was a £50 million order for 1,500 machines. The 2016 order includes a fleet of 13 tonne JS 130 tracked excavators along with Loadall telescopic handlers and mini excavators. A-Plant is also purchasing a fleet of JCB branded site dumpers. South East regional dealer Greenshields JCB is to supply all the machines. For the first time, A-Plant is also set to invest in in a series of UK produced generators for the rental market from JCB Power Products. The range – produced by the former Broadcrown business acquired by JCB last year – is fitted with the ‘JCB LiveLink for Power feature’. A-Plant has bought nearly 40 sets. A-Plant has now purchased over 11,000 machines from JB over the course of the last 25 years. Dan Thompstone, Sales Director at JCB UK & Ireland, commented: “JCB has a long-standing relationship with A-Plant and we are delighted to cement that with this huge order. Winning business like this is testament to JCB’s continued introduction of innovative products supported by unrivalled parts and service back-up from the JCB UK dealer network.” A-Plant marketing director Asif Latief said: “This order is part of our investment programme to ensure our customers continue to get the most advanced, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly equipment. This year’s investment also includes JCB generators developed by the former Broadcrown business, which is a first for A-Plant and recognises our commitment to offering quality new products to our customers. “Our investment programme is unrivalled in the industry and coupled with the high levels of customer support we provide, ensures we are firmly positioned to be the obvious choice for rental equipment whether our customers are local builders, events suppliers or national contractors.”
