All in with JCB
From groundworks to final finishes, Roadhouse is building 181 homes using a fully JCB fleet.
On a busy housing development, it is not unusual to see a mix of machines from different manufacturers working side by side. At Manor Farm in Rochester, however, things look a little different.
Here, every stage of the build — from bulk earthworks through to finishing — is being carried out using JCB equipment.
The project, which will deliver 181 new homes in the South-East, is the largest undertaken to date by Roadhouse Building & Civil Engineering Ltd. And with the company choosing to carry out all civil engineering and earthworks in house, that means running a full and carefully selected fleet of machines across the site.
With support from local dealer Greenshields JCB, Roadhouse Director George Light has handpicked each machine for its role. The result is a complete line-up that covers everything from heavy groundwork to final landscaping.
The fleet includes JCB 18Z-1 and 35Z-1 mini excavators, 145XR and 220X tracked excavators, a 540-140 Loadall telescopic handler, 3, 6 and 9-tonne site dumpers, a CT260-120 roller, a JCB tracked Dumpster and a used JCB 714 articulated dumptruck.
Built the JCB Way
Founded in 2011, Roadhouse Building & Civil Engineering Ltd has grown into one of the South-East’s most successful housebuilders, with a commitment to delivering A-rated energy homes since 2023.
For George Light, that focus on quality extends to every part of the business — including the machines on site.
“Like many plant operators, we’ve tested other manufacturers over the years, but we’ve found that JCB stands out for build quality, reliability, and the level of sales and aftersales support,” he explains.
“The performance we get is excellent. Our operators really value the comfort of the cabs, the smooth controls and the versatility of the machines. And we take real pride in the fact they’re British-built.”
Early Inspiration
For George, the connection with JCB began long before Roadhouse was established.
“I started working for my father’s civil engineering company in 1992 and he always bought JCB machines. Between his business and Roadhouse, we’ve now had a relationship with JCB spanning more than 40 years, with around 60 to 70 machines over that time. ”
George Light|Roadhouse Director
“I remember being 11 when my dad bought his first new JCB 3CX. We collected it and drove home, stopping at my grandparents’ house to show them on the way. I later learnt to operate that machine and passed my first operator’s test at 17.
“In the 1990s Lord Bamford gave me a personal tour of the original JCB factory, introduced me to the team and shared his knowledge. What stayed with me most was the respect he had for every employee and how important he said it was to look after your people. That’s something I’ve carried into Roadhouse.”
Support That Delivers
Alongside machine performance, it is the support behind the equipment that continues to strengthen the relationship.
“We’ve built a strong relationship our dealer Greenshields JCB,” George says. “The team have always given us sound advice on choosing the right machines and stay involved throughout the aftercare. The support has been faultless and they are a real credit to JCB. Martin Moody has been a great help over the years from purchase to aftercare.
“We also have our machines serviced and maintained by JCB. For our larger equipment we take extended warranty packages, and any issues are dealt with quickly — usually the same day or within 24 hours.
“The service and parts teams are always helpful and if we need something urgently, they’ll go out of their way to get it to us — even for our 23-year-old dump truck.”
Final Finish
For Roadhouse, running an entirely JCB fleet is not just about brand preference. It is about consistency across every stage of the build.
From first dig to final finish, having the right machine in place and the confidence it will perform makes a tangible difference.
As George puts it: “Using JCB, and the advice Lord Bamford shared all those years ago – about having happy staff and reliable machinery - makes it a pleasure to come to work each day.”
From childhood memories in a 3CX to delivering a fully JCB-built housing development, it is a relationship that continues to shape the business - quite literally from the ground up.
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