Friday, 18 April 2025 09:55

JCB expands new Texas factory after US tariff hike

Written by  Mark Daniel
In response to the increased tariffs, JCB is increasing the size of its new factory currently being built in Texas. In response to the increased tariffs, JCB is increasing the size of its new factory currently being built in Texas.

Since Donald Trump’s import tariff announcement, the world has been on a wild economic ride.

Indeed, by April 8, US companies alone had lost around US$2.5 trillion in value, only ever seen before in the Great Depression, the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid crisis – none of which were intentionally started. Of course, farm machinery manufacturers will be affected, particularly those with production sites in Europe who ship to the United States.

In response to the increased tariffs announced on April 2, JCB says it will increase the size of its new factory that is currently being built in Texas.

“In the short term, the imposition of tariffs will have a significant impact on our business,” said Graeme Macdonald, chief executive of JCB – the UK-based construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer.

“In the medium term, our planned factory in San Antonio will help to mitigate the impact; we are thankful that the tariff is only 10%, but we hope that the UK Government will conclude negotiations on a trade deal in the coming days and weeks.”

Trump used ‘emergency powers’ to issue a 10% baseline tariff across the board on all imports to the US that took effect on April 5th. Higher tariffs are set for countries with larger trade surpluses with the US, like China at 54% higher and the European Union at 20% higher. O course, the UK left the European Union in 2020.

JCB has announced that its “original plan” to build a 46,500 square metre plant in San Antonio has now been doubled to 93,000 square metres or 22 acres, easily making it the company’s second-largest factory. The $500 million plant is set to begin production in 2026 and employ 1500 people, complementing the company’s North America headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, where it has been for 25 years, employing about 1000 people. That 46,500 square metre facility manufactures skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and Teleskids. It also produces the High Mobility Engineer Excavator and Light Capability Rough Terrain Forklift for the US military and other NATO-aligned forces.

“JCB has been in business for 80 years this year, so we are well accustomed to change,” said JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford. “The United States is the largest market for construction equipment in the world, and President Trump has galvanized us into evaluating how we can make even more products in the USA, which has been an important market for JCB since we sold our first machine there in 1964.”

Elsewhere, global ag equipment company CNH Industrial says it has temporarily paused shipments due to uncertainty stemming from the ongoing tariff situation. In a statement, the company is stopping shipments from North America plants and European imports, effective immediately. Officials say the move is temporary until they assess the full impact of tariffs on pricing. The company stated there are no impacts to production and shipment of parts will continue as planned.

More like this

The JAC of all trades at National Fieldays

Already causing a stir in the burgeoning ute sector, JAC (“Jack”) has raised its profile by being named as the latest major sponsor of June’s National Fieldays, where it will officially introduce its top-of-the-line T9 4WD double cab ute to the market, joining its fleet of 100% EV and Cummins diesel trucks.

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved from a single model in 1975 to a range today, led by the new CR10 and CR11.

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand, is turning 50.

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the White House, farm commodity prices are holding their own.

Featured

ANZCO Foods' net profit plunges

Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.

Editorial: Forest for the trees?

OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.

Protest planned outside dairy awards venue

As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.

National

Machinery & Products

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Less hot air

OPINION: Farmers won't get any credit for this from the daily media, so Milking It is giving the bouquets where…

Dollars go offshore

OPINION: The Advertising Standards Authority’s 2024 report revealed that not only is social media rotting our brains, it is also…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter