Answer: JCB stands for Joseph Cyril Bamford.

Joseph Cyril Bamford, or JCB as he is popularly known built from his proverbial “rags to riches” story over five decades. Beginning with a loan of just £50 from his father, this self-made billionaire entrepreneur created an empire that spanned across the globe. It was reported that his company even gave out more than 1,50,000 loans to people during the economic depression in the UK.

For those who don’t know much about him and are still curious to know how he built one of the largest construction equipment manufacturing companies in Europe, here are some interesting facts about him.

Joseph Cyril Bamford was born to Tom and Hetty Bamford on March 24,1924, in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. He had three brothers who went on to join the armed forces during World War II. After serving in the army initially with his father for six months post which he joined the Royal Air Force where he served till 1946 after which he returned home to help out his father on their family farm.

It was during this time that JCB saw first-hand the potential of construction equipment as an emerging business opportunity. This is because unlike farming equipment that was stiff, clunky, and slow-moving; digging machinery began luring farmers with its speed and affordability leading them to buy their own machines for excavation.

This is when he began his career by repairing and selling second-hand excavators. Initially, he did this on a part-time basis while also helping his father tend to the family farm. However, seeing the potential in excavator business opportunities, JCB decided to pursue it full time.

He made an investment of £50 borrowed from his father to purchase a garage for repairs where he could carry out his maintenance work. Soon enough, this garage became home to several heavy types of machinery which he used for digging up soil at construction sites. He would then sell these excavators once they were done with their tasks resulting in pure profit being made by him every single time!

The rest as we know is history. He built an empire that spanned across continents with over 45,000 employees at his disposal. JCB currently ranks as the third-largest tractor manufacturer in the world and has a record of being the most profitable machinery company in Europe!