The World's Greatest Earthmover to Embark on Coast-to-Coast Fundraising 'Road Trip' in Partnership with the American Red Cross

SAVANNAH, Ga., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the ongoing needs in Haiti, JCB, one of the word's largest manufacturers of construction equipment, today announced its Backhoe Across America charity drive, a national initiative in partnership with the American Red Cross.  The cross-country campaign features a JCB 3CX backhoe loader, which will travel from Georgia to California to help raise the still-needed funds that will be critical to Haiti's long-term rebuilding efforts.

With a fundraising goal of $1 million, JCB will donate all monies raised during the 26-day road trip directly to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.  Those who wish to make a donation to the Backhoe Across America charity drive can either visit one of the 11 route stops or go to www.JCBforHaiti.com.

No Ordinary Road Trip

The JCB 3CX backhoe loader will begin its coast-to-coast trek from the beach at Tybee Island, Ga., on Friday, March 26, 2010.  The backhoe then will travel more than 3,000 miles across the U.S., making fundraising "pit stops" at JCB dealerships in nine cities along the way, before reaching its final destination – the beach at California's Santa Monica Pier – on April 20, 2010.  

"Haiti's road to recovery will be long and difficult," said John Patterson, chairman and CEO, JCB Inc. "On behalf of everyone at JCB, we hope that the miles traveled and donations secured during Backhoe Across America will help ease the burden of the journey that lies ahead for this devastated nation."

No Ordinary Backhoe

On a recent episode of the National Geographic and Discovery Channel show, 'Greatest Ever', the JCB backhoe was ranked number-one on a list of the "Greatest Ever Earthmovers."  With the Backhoe Across America campaign, JCB will put the Worlds Greatest Earthmover to an even greater test to see just how far a bucketful of charity can go to help the Haitian people rebuild their lives.  

JCB invented the backhoe loader in 1953; today, the company is the world's leading manufacturer of this versatile and reliable job-site solution, producing almost one out of every two backhoes sold worldwide.  In keeping with the company's long tradition of assisting disaster-relief efforts around the world, JCB already has donated two backhoe loaders in response to Haiti's immediate recovery needs.  And, most recently, JCB pledged to provide $100,000 worth of backhoe equipment for Chile's earthquake victims.

No Ordinary Driver

JCB veteran employee Neil Smith will be the man behind the wheel as the backhoe makes its way across America.  When Neil was growing up in Rocester, England, he walked by a large factory on his way to school each and every day. That factory was JCB's World Headquarters. Not surprisingly, Neil dreamed of operating JCB's signature bright yellow machines – but he had no way of knowing that the family-owned manufacturer would play a major role in his life for many years to come.

Now in his 37th year with JCB, Neil will operate the 3CX machine from start to finish, traveling at speeds up to 30 mph on secondary roads, which, by law, must be taken throughout the trek due to the loader's maximum speed limitations.

About JCB

JCB has 18 plants on four continents: 11 in the U.K., three in India and others in the U.S., China, Germany and Brazil; the company employs more than 7,000 people worldwide.

JCB celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2010. JCB is privately-owned by the Bamford family and the Chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, is the son of the company's late founder, Joseph Cyril Bamford.

The company manufactures more than 300 different machines including:  backhoe loaders; Loadall telescopic handlers; tracked and wheeled excavators; wheel loaders; articulated dump trucks; rough terrain fork lifts; mini excavators; skid steers loaders; JCB Vibromax compaction equipment; generators and Groundcare equipment. In addition, for agricultural markets, the company produces a range of telescopic handlers and the unique Fastrac tractor. JCB also manufactures the Teletruk Forklift for the industrial sector.

In 2005, JCB secured one of the largest orders in its history when it won a $290 million deal to supply the U.S. Government with High Mobility Engineer Excavators (HMEEs). Full-scale production of the HMEE is now underway at JCB's plant in Savannah, Ga.

The HMEE fulfils a need from the military for rapid deployment high mobility products. To further meet these requirements; JCB also has developed a range of other high mobility products from the High Mobility Fastrac Tractor, through to the High Mobility Rough Terrain Forklift and the High Mobility Utility Vehicle.

JCB has won more than 50 major awards for engineering excellence, exports, design, marketing, management, as well as for its environmental stewardship. Among them are 25 Queen's Awards for Technology and Export Achievement.

SOURCE JCB