Video: A First Look at JCB’s $500M San Antonio Facility — Complete with a Cattle Ranch
JCB is going big in Texas. The iconic yellow equipment maker is in the thick of constructing a massive new $500 million manufacturing facility in San Antonio — the largest investment in the company’s 80-year history. The Compact Equipment team recently visited the Lone Star State to see the project firsthand, capturing exclusive footage for our latest video embedded above. Also be sure to subscribe to our YouTube page for more videos!
A sprawling 400-acre property will serve as JCB’s new North American manufacturing hub, producing key machines such as Loadall telescopic handlers, scissor lifts and boom lifts specifically for the North American market. When complete in 2026, the site will be JCB’s largest facility in the world, rivaled only by its global headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England. But this isn’t just another industrial plant — it’s a symbol of how JCB views the future of manufacturing, customer engagement, and community building.
A Texas-Sized Investment
Construction crews are hard at work on what will soon be a 1,000,000-sq-ft state-of-the-art factory. The facility will eventually employ 1,500 people over the next five years, adding a significant boost to the local economy. According to JCB leadership, the investment represents both a commitment to the North American market and a belief in Texas as a manufacturing powerhouse. JCB’s President and CEO of North America, Richard Fox-Marrs, shared similar enthusiasm in our interview on site. Watch our video above to see some of his remarks.
Beyond Manufacturing
The San Antonio facility will be more than just a place where machines are built. The campus is designed to reflect JCB’s unique culture, with plans for tennis courts, outdoor recreation spaces and even a working cattle ranch. During our visit, we met the first longhorn to call JCB’s ranch home — a nod to the company’s Texas roots and its desire to build a facility that feels connected to the land. The property will also feature dedicated areas for contractors and dealers to visit, test machines and see new products in action. It’s a smart move that brings JCB customers directly into the company’s orbit and turns the factory into a destination.
A Look Ahead
Production at the San Antonio plant is scheduled to begin in 2026, starting with aerial work platforms and telehandlers before expanding to other product lines. The site’s modular layout gives JCB room to grow as demand increases across North America. With the company marking its 80th anniversary in 2025, this new facility stands as a major milestone in JCB’s history — and a clear signal that the future of compact and mid-size construction equipment in North America is bright and maybe a little bit Texan.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
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