Leading equipment manufacturer JCB continues to make tremendous strides in the North American agricultural market, significantly increasing its retail sales over the past four years. The company’s growth outpaced the ag market’s overall growth during this same time period.
“Agriculture is in JCB’s DNA,” said Dan Schmidt, Vice President of Agriculture for JCB North America. “We believe the agricultural market presents a tremendous growth opportunity for us, and we’re investing heavily in the agricultural products, people, programs and facilities that will help us continue to grow JCB’s presence in this market. We’re also working diligently to expand our dealer network to include additional dedicated ag equipment facilities. Facilities that understand the unique relationship-driven nature of the agricultural market.”
JCB’s dedication to the agricultural market is evident in its recent product development efforts. In 2015, the company plans to introduce its new 4000 series Fastrac Tractors which range from 165 – 320 hp, the new TM220 articulated telescopic and a host of other agricultural products.JCB currently markets a line of special “Agri” telehandlers designed specifically for farmers and ranchers, including the powerful 550-80 Agri PLUS model with a 145hp Ecomax engine, 4.99-ton lift capacity and 26’7” lift height. JCB also manufactures articulated telescopics that combine the features of a wheel loader with the benefits of a telescopic boom for greater versatility, like its TM320 with a 25 hp (93 kW) Ecomax engine, Variflo flow-on-demand hydraulic system and six-speed powershift transmission Torquelock system for superior performance on the road.
JCB plans to add dedicated tractor engineers to focus on the Fastrac range of high-horsepower tractors with full front and rear suspension that can travel up to 50 mph on the road. JCB’s skid steer and compact track loaders continue to break new ground in the agricultural market with their unique one-arm PowerBoom design that provides enhanced visibility, safety and the ability to use multiple attachments for greater versatility around the farm.
While offering superior products is certainly important, success in any market also requires top-notch sales support, parts availability and service. JCB is adding additional sales territory managers who will both support JCB’s agricultural customer base. Parts inventory for JCB’s agricultural products will double in 2015 thanks to the recent addition of a Chicago-area parts warehouse. And, JCB dealer representatives and product managers will be attending more local and national agriculture shows to market the unique features of JCB products and share the JCB story. Their goal is to increase customer awareness with the JCB brand and its agricultural product range.
“The agriculture industry is localized. It is driven by relationships and brand preferences that, in many situations, have been built over multiple generations,” Schmidt said. “Ag customers are passionate about their equipment, and JCB shares that passion. We’re drawing upon our recent successes and taking additional steps to further extend the JCB brand in this very important market.”
Skid Steer Loaders, a signature JCB product manufactured in the United States with an exclusive side door for safe entry and enhanced visibility, remains at the core of JCB’s agricultural product line. JCB’s vision for continued growth in the agricultural sector centers around innovating new products that meet the evolving needs of our customer base while delivering industry-leading customer service throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.