JCB records strong 2013 performance

Building equipment firm JCB achieved the third most profitable year in its history last year, despite a difficult global construction market.

The 68-year-old Staffordshire-based firm posted earnings before tax down 14.2% to £313 million in 2013 on sales which slipped 0.7% to £2.68 billion. The firm sold 66,227 machines last year, compared to 69,250 in 2012.