Members of the Farmers' Union of Wales Gwent branch recently visited the JCB production factory at Rocester, Staffordshire.
"The trip attracted tremendous interest from an early stage with the 53-seat bus being sold to capacity with a small reserve list being in operation," said FUW Gwent county executive officer Glyn Davies.
"Members and friends were treated to superb hospitality at the JCB visitor centre with lunch being served upon arrival. Following lunch we had a tour of the production facilities, seeing JCB excavators produced from plain sheets of steel through to the finished products rolling off the end of the production line.
"In addition we were told the story of JCB, with examples of previous types of machinery on show. The visit can be highly recommended to anyone interested in the story of JCB and in the production of a first class industrial and agricultural machine.
"It was also extremely pleasing to note that JCB is still a privately owned company and that the original owners are direct descendents of the founder of the business."
Mr Davies said the manner in which JCB had grown into a global company was a perfect example of the high quality workmanship and engineering expertise available in this country.
"This visit has probably created a precedent in the county and members have already put forward a number of suggestions for next year’s trip."
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Gwent FUW members and friends outside JCB's Rocester factory[/caption]