WORK has started on the first phase of a new £7 million factory dedicated to the production of attachments for JCB machines.

Phase one of the 120,000 sq ft facility – which will create 15 new jobs – is being built next to JCB’s World Parts Centre on the A50 at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and is scheduled for completion at the end of September.

JCB Managing Director and CEO John Patterson officially got the project underway by cutting the first sod for the JCB Attachments factory.

Phase two, which will also incorporate an additional covered storage for the existing World Parts Centre, will start later in the year and is scheduled for completion by the end of January 2008. The new facility will employ more than 50 people once operational.

Mr Patterson said: “Attachments and power packs are a vitally important part of the JCB business. We are projecting significant growth in this sector in the next few years and the investment in a new factory will give us the capacity to meet that opportunity.

“The building of this factory also underlines our commitment to continue to invest in Staffordshire, which has been our home for more than 61 years.”

JCB Attachments is relocating from its current base in Rugeley, enabling the expansion of the neighbouring JCB Cab Systems business which makes cabs for the JCB machine range.

The company offers a range of more than 3,000 attachments for the construction, agricultural, groundcare and industrial sectors.

The line-up includes a full range of breakers for use on 800kg micro excavators through to 70 tonne tracked excavators, buckets, shovels, quick hitches, earth drills, trenchers, patch planers, silent demolition tools, compactors, sweeper collectors, mid-mounted mowers, stump grinders, forks and a full agricultural range of muck forks. JCB also offers a comprehensive range of Powerpacks and class leading low vibration hand-held hydraulic breakers.