J. C. Bamford (person)

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This article is about the founder of JCB. For the company, see J. C. Bamford

Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE (21st June 1916 - 1st March 2001) was the founder of the JCB company, manufacturing heavy plant. He was educated at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire. His philosophies were: "Focus on what you do best, be innovative, and re-invest in product development and the latest manufacturing technologies."

[edit] Background

The Bamford family came from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire in England. J.C. Bamford was following in the family business. His ancestor Henry Bamford was born to a Roman Catholic family in Yoxall, Staffordshire, England, and built up an ironmongers business which employed 2 men. By 1881 it employed 50 men, 10 boys and 3 women.

[edit] Life

1916 June 21: Joseph Cyril Bamford was born on June 21 1916. He was later educated at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire.
1945: He rented a lock-up garage 12 feet by 15 feet in Uttoxeter. In it, using a welding set which he bought for £1, he made a tipping trailer from war-surplus materials. On the same day his son Anthony was born he sold the trailer at a nearby market for £45 and at once made another trailer.
1948: There were 6 people working for his company. It made the first hydraulic tipping trailer in Europe.
1953: The JCB logo appeared on a backhoe loader. He later made the first backhoe excavator.
1960s: By now his hydraulic tractors had entered the North American market, proving a success.
1969: He was awarded the CBE for Services to Export.
1975: He retired. In his later life he was a tax exile.
2001: He died aged 84.