BOOMING digger giant JCB has delivered its workers an early Christmas present after announcing a £500 Christmas bonus and a 5.2 per cent pay increase.
Thousands of employees, including those at the firm’s Rocester headquarters and plants in Uttoxeter and Foston will share in the bonus worth a total of more than £2 million.
In addition, from January 1, UK employees will receive a pay increase linked to November’s Retail Price Index (RPI).
JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said as the announcement was made to delighted workers today: “JCB has continued to recover strongly this year from the difficult trading conditions of 2008 and 2009 and all areas of the business rose to the challenge of growing sales in a tough economic environment.
“Last year we sold 51,600 machines and this year sales will increase by more than 30 per cent.
“The award of another Christmas bonus and a substantial pay increase wouldn’t have been possible without team work at JCB during the severe economic downturn of 2008 and 2009 when everyone worked together to ensure the business emerged strongly from a difficult trading period.
“The economic outlook has become more uncertain in recent months but if we continue to work as a team, I’m sure we can achieve even more next year.”
Last week JCB announced it was to create 350 new jobs at its Foston Power Systems plant as it invests £31million in a new engine development project.
