$500M Factory Breaks Ground in San Antonio

UK-based JCB has started construction on a $500 million, 720,000-square-foot factory in San Antonio, marking the biggest investment in its history. It will be the company’s second-largest plant after its headquarters facility in Rocester, Staffordshire, England.

JCB is the world’s largest privately owned manufacturer of construction, agriculture and defense equipment. The San Antonio factory, which will be run by JCB North America, will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production expected to begin in 2026.

Company officials said North America is the largest market for aerial access equipment in the world so it makes sense to build both products in the U.S. Reasons for selecting San Antonio included its central location, proximity to the supply chain and strong local labor force.

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Located on a 400-acre site on State Highway 16 in the city’s South Side, the plant will have the capacity to expand and build other products in the future and is expected to bring 1,500 jobs to the region.

JCB North America is headquartered in Savannah, Ga., where it opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in 2001. The company, which will mark its 80th anniversary in 2025, has 22 factories—including 11 in the U.K., seven in India, and others in Brazil and China—and employs 19,000 people globally.

Local impact

JCB announced its intention to build a factory in San Antonio in October, although it did not have a site selected at that time. The firm ultimately chose a parcel located near the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas factory, which opened in 2006.

JCB expects to receive economic development incentives to build its manufacturing plant, including tax abatements and incentives worth $13.7 million from the city and a package from Bexar County that could reach $12 million, according to the San Antonio Report.

The factory is expected to have an estimated $30 billion economic impact on the region over the next 10 years, including suppliers that could locate nearby.

JCB’s development comes at the same time Toyota is planning a $500 million expansion at its facility, according to local media. While Toyota has not provided additional information on the planned expansion, the San Antonio Express-News reported in May that the automaker intends to construct a new building to the existing plant and add 411 jobs.

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