In India, backhoe-loaders are essential tools. Nearly every construction site on the subcontinent sports these nimble, versatile machines. With a bucket in front and a digger at the rear, backhoe-loaders allow workers to excavate material and haul it away in a few quick steps. They also can use the machines to lift pipe and handle other materials using dozens of attachments. And in India, there is only one brand to own: JCB.
JCB India, a subsidiary of the U.K.-based parent company known for pioneering the backhoe-loader concept in 1956, started operations here in 1979. At the time, most construction was performed solely with manual labor. Today, JCB enjoys a 70% market share in the backhoe-loader segment, and its success has made the company a household word.