MR JOSEPH CYRIL BAMFORD, CBE

Mr Joseph Cyril Bamford, CBE, founder of the J C Bamford Excavator Group of Companies, died peacefully in hospital on 1 March, whilst visiting London. He was 84.

Joe Bamford, known universally as Mr JCB, was born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. After the war he joined his family firm, which manufactured agricultural machinery. He was an innovative and skilled engineer and in 1945 set up his own company in a rented lock-up garage. He made his first product there, a tipping trailer, using army surplus material and a second-hand welding machine. He sold it at Uttoxeter market for £45.

JCB is now one of the world’s top five manufacturers of construction equipment, producing machines on three continents.

Mr Bamford was dubbed "Jamais Content Bamford" by a French customer - and this became his motto. In 1968, he was awarded the CBE for his services to exports. He retired at the end of 1975 and was was succeeded by Sir Anthony Bamford.

Joseph Bamford is survived by his wife Marjorie and two sons, Sir Anthony and Mark.

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CECE DIRECTORS ENJOY THE LONDON EYE

Members of the CECE Executive Committee held their end of year meeting in London for the first time in many years. After their business discussions the Directors of the European associations were accompanied by CEA staff on a spin round the London Eye. The event was a major success.

SMALL COMPANIES THINKING BIG – LET THE EC HELP YOUR COMPANY

To stay ahead of the competition in today’s aggressive market, it is necessary to keep improving your products, services or production processes. This can require research, which can in turn require funding.

The EC wants Europe to maintain its competitiveness in the Global Marketplace and is keen to invest into research. A massive £675 million has been allocated to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enable them to participate in EU funded research projects with £284 million being allocated to 4,000 SMEs in the first year. Grants of up to £650K can be applied for to fund SME research projects with no research facilities required. An additional £14K can also be won to help you prepare a proposal, but the final deadline for this extra funding is 18 April 2000. Anyone wanting to apply is advised to do so early and with the DTI encouraging submissions in the Machining and Allied Equipment sectors, there has never been a better time to.

So, if you need to research that innovative project, investigate that new machine or production method, then look to the EC. The UK puts money in, so get some of it out!

For FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice on how to tap into this money, contact Beta Technology. Sponsored by the DTI, Beta can make the application for the money easier and can help you every step of the way.

Developing Future Bilateral Trade Relationships

Thursday 21 June 2001

Shaw Park Plaza Hotel, London

This one-day interactive business seminar coincides with a visit to the UK of more than 60 Turkish companies. The fee is £30.

For further details contact: One Events - Tel: +44 (0)20 7801 0900 - Fax: +44 (0)20 7924 3185 -
E-mail: entrepreneurs-e-turkey@one-events.com.

Raquel Brooks has recently joined the CEA to assist Tim Faithfull, Director of Member Services, and Bill Osborne, Technical Officer, after Jackie Willis-Dickson left us at the end of January. We wish Jackie well in her new endeavours and welcome Raquel to the exciting world of construction equipment.

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THE WEB

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