JCB announces record £2.75bn turnover

Digger firm JCB has reported record financial results with 2011's turnover at its highest level in the company's 66-year history.

The firm said last year's £2.75bn turnover was 37% greater than in 2010.

JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said: "[It] has been delivered on the back of very strong growth in both traditional markets and the emerging economies."

He said the investment showed Staffordshire-based JCB was well placed for 2012.

Machine sales role from 51,600 units in 2010 to 69,100.

Sir Anthony said the firm was "mindful" of continuing economic and political uncertainties in some parts of the world but added its investment in its 22 global factories and "the biggest product launch programme in our history" boded well for a strong performance in 2012.

"We are investing heavily in manufacturing facilities in the UK and overseas, and later this year a new 350,000 sq ft factory will start producing backhoe loaders and excavators in Sao Paulo, Brazil."

The Rocester-based firm said last month it would increase the number of apprentices it takes on to more than 100 during 2012.