JCB Italia 30 years powered by Kohler/Lombardini engines

New JCB models powered by Kohler/Lombardini engines were unwrapped in Reggio Emilia. For the British trademark, the occasion included discussions on future strategies

The new medium and compact models of JCB construction machinery powered by new Tier Four Final Kohler and Italian-based Lombardini engines, given the name JCB Diesel by Kohler, were unveiled in June in Lombardini headquarters in Reggio Emilia. The presentation also marked the 30th anniversary of the British multinational’s activities in Italy with meetings of the company’s marketing staff, officers and dealers for work on business strategies and future objectives set out by the construction equipment manufacturer.

Claudio Fiorentini, the president of JCB Italia, declared for the occasion, “The thirty years run up by JCB are an extraordinary achievement and it’s right to celebrate them. And to face the future there is only one password: flexibility. There are no others. Flexibility that we will have to introduce at all levels of our activity and for all structures.” The quarters chosen for the assembly are especially significant for the future of the global JCB trademark; the Kohler/Lombardini Reggio Emilia plant is the supplier of medium and compact JCB machinery power plants with the JCB Diesel by Kohler. These brand new innovative engines fully meet Tier 4 Final/Stage IIIB emission standards and ensure greater efficiency and lower maintenance costs. Vincenzo Perrone, the Kohler/Lombardini managing director, affirmed, “The Kohler Group is one of the biggest private companies in the United States and lists among its activities the production of engines and generator groups through the Power Group, in which Lombardini takes part. We are proud that our innovative KDI engines have been selected by such a prestigious world-level manufacturer as JCB.” Perrone went on to say, “In the present technological and production scenario I believe the quality of interaction between the engine and the vehicle is crucial, now more than ever before, for the success of these components. For this, I believe the partnership between JCB and Kohler has been one of the most efficient that I know of in the sector.” This partnership was set up in 2013 and took on reality in 2014 with the

presentation of thirteen new models all equipped with these new engines.

The new range inaugerated consists of three new mini excavators, the 85Z-1, l’86C-1 and the 67C-1. These are flanked by new “small platform” mini backhoe loader models, the 135, 150T, 155 and the 190, to round out the mini backhoe loader and track loaders available on the market. Also the prized line of hydrostatic articulated compact loaders is being extended with three new models, the 406, 407 and the 409, a new

version of the TM 220 telescopic wheel loader, the renewed 516-40 and 525-60 telescopic handlers and the new Teletruck TLT 35D model.