JCB Celebrates Milestone in Savannah, GA Region

JCB celebrated a milestone Thursday at its North America headquarters in Pooler.
The event celebrated the manufacture of the 1,000th “HMEE,” a high mobility engineer excavator, designed and made for the U.S. Army.

A large crowd attended with guests that included JCB employees, business leaders, the British consul general, members of the military, the mayors of Hinesville, Pooler and Savannah, along with U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and Gov. Nathan Deal.

JCB in Pooler is the British company’s global headquarters for government and defense products. JCB won the contract with the U.S. Army in 2005 to produce 636 of the machines with a cost of about $209 million. An additional service contract cost $20 million. Contract extensions and international sales boosted production to 1,000 machines.

“The men and women of JCB are extremely proud to be building a machine that supports our military,” JCB’s Chairman of the Board, John Patterson, said.
The U.S. Army has purchased more than 900 HMEEs, with another 80 being used by nine allies around the world.

“For more than a decade, the HMEE has built infrastructure, supported humanitarian missions, and kept soldiers safe at home and abroad,” Patterson said. “It is a credit to the Army leadership that the HMEE program has endured over so many years. So in this regard, JCB shares a common mission with the Army to provide our military with the equipment they need to defend our freedom and deliver aid to those in need.” The HMEE, called by some the “Swiss army knife” of excavators, is versatile, mobile and innovative, JCB officials noted.

With a top speed of 60 mph, the HMEE can travel with military convoys, on and off-road. It is used for earth moving, fortification construction, route paving and clearance. The HMEE is available in various configurations, including armor to help protect lives. It also has a hydraulic hose system that can be used to hook up a variety of tools, including chainsaws, drills for concrete and pike setters.

The HMEE was built when the Army needed a machine that could travel at convoy speeds, Patterson said. The speed also helps the operator quickly get out of harm’s way.

Deal congratulated JCB on their milestone and thanked the company for its contributions to the state. “I understand that about 60 percent of the machines that are produced here are exported through the port of Savannah,” Deal said. “That is certainly an important part of our economy in the state and I thank you for that, as well.”

Deal said he met with Patterson when Deal was first elected governor. Deal noted that Patterson’s leadership during the recession years earlier this decade were vital to growth.

Chris Giorgianni, JCB vice president for government and defense, said the HMEE is a source of pride. “Everyone at JCB North America is proud to be building such a complex military machine right here in Pooler. Equally importantly, more than 60 percent of the HMEE is sourced in the U.S., with the state of Georgia being the largest contributor.”

Carter said he first met Patterson in 1997 when Carter was the mayor of Pooler.
“I saw he had a passion for what he does,” Carter said. “We’ve seen JCB grow. And, it’s because of people like John Patterson — his leadership — in bringing manufacturing to our city and our community and the number of jobs you’ve brought,” Carter said. “For that I thank you, thank you for everything you’ve done for our community.”

Carter said the HMEE is a lifesaver. “The HMEE is more than a machine, it gives our soldiers, our troops the assurance that they are going to be OK,” Carter said.
Guests were then treated to a demonstration of the HMEE’s capabilities, along with a performance by the Dancing Diggers.

The diggers perform in-sync movements with heavy equipment to music, concluding with fireworks. Andrew Staunton, the British consul general, said he was impressed with his first visit to Savannah and JCB in Pooler. “To see the personal connections is wonderful,” Staunton said. “There is a real sense of pride here.”

Staunton said JCB’s HMEE is a great example of talent working together.
“It’s an example of British capabilities married with U.S. determination and innovation,” Staunton said. Staunton also said it was a special day to be at JCB.
“It’s very fitting and poignant to be here with the flags at half-staff for John McCain,” Staunton said. “McCain understood the importance of the British and U.S. relationship.”

JCB is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction, agricultural and defense equipment. At 22 plants worldwide — including those in the United States and United Kingdom — JCB manufactures a range of more than 300 products including HMEEs, telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, aerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and Fastrac tractors.

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DeAnn Komanecky
Savannah Morning News