King Charles made a special visit to Staffordshire this week, marking the 80th anniversary of JCB and celebrating the county’s rich industrial and brewing heritage.
The King began his day at JCB, the world’s third-largest construction equipment manufacturer, which was founded in 1945 and now operates 22 plants across four continents, employing 7,500 people in the UK alone.
During his visit, His Majesty toured the backhoe loader assembly line, where he watched as the wheels of JCB’s famous backhoe diggers were fitted. This machine, originally invented by JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE, is said to have revolutionised the construction industry by replacing “the man with a shovel.”
Earlier this year, JCB celebrated the production of its one-millionth backhoe loader, a major milestone for the company.
His Majesty also took time to meet with apprentices, long-serving employees, and their families, acknowledging the company’s long-standing commitment to apprenticeships, which date back to 1964.
Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman said:
It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.
Innovation at the Forefront
In the JCB Innovation Centre, The King was shown the company’s latest development—a hydrogen-powered construction machine. JCB is the first construction firm to develop a working hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine, a project that involved 150 engineers.
King Charles has a long history with JCB. As Prince of Wales, he visited the company in 1977 and later, in 2011, opened the JCB Academy. Earlier this year, JCB was granted a Royal Warrant, cementing its place among Britain’s most distinguished manufacturers.
A Taste of Tradition at Tower Brewery
Following his visit to JCB, The King stopped at Tower Brewery, an independent, family-run brewery that has been part of the local community for 24 years.
Founded in 2001 by John Mills, Tower Brewery continues Burton upon Trent’s long tradition as the brewing capital of Britain. Mills transformed a derelict Victorian water tower, built in the 1870s by Thomas Salt & Co., into a thriving brewery. His efforts were recognised with a Civic Society Award for the restoration of the historic building.
During his tour, His Majesty learned about the ale-making process and participated in a key step—opening the brewing steam hatch, which showcases the gravity-fed brewing process used at Tower Brewery.
Since its founding, the brewery has produced award-winning ales and regularly hosts community events, preserving Burton’s proud brewing heritage.
The visit underscored King Charles’s ongoing support for British industry, innovation, and tradition, celebrating both Staffordshire’s engineering excellence and its historic brewing legacy.
Donald Trump says ” the EU won’t take our cars” however they could get their cars into Europe through Britain