JCB has presented longstanding customer, JC Balls & Sons, with a unique X Series tracked excavator to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The milestone also represents 60 years of the two family-owned businesses working in partnership after founder Jim Balls established JC Balls & Sons with a JCB 3 backhoe loader in 1963. He has bought JCB ever since.

At 95-years-old Jim is still a director of the company which has evolved into the leading plant hirer and contractor in the East Midlands, specialising in earthmoving and bulk excavation. His sons Kevin and Christopher, Kevin’s children Carly-Ann Balls, Hollie Marriott and Tom Balls and Christopher’s children Jamie Balls and Lisa Freeston also now work in the business.

The family and friends gathered with representatives from JCB and dealer TC Harrison JCB at a special anniversary event hosted at JCB Golf & Country Club. At the celebration, JCB handed over JC Balls & Sons’ latest order – a one of a kind 220X tracked excavator. The machine has been decked out in a stunning bespoke livery – with white cab, red bucket and retro sign-writing – in a nod to iconic JCB machines of the past. It has also been christened ‘Mary’ – Jim Balls’ wife – after whom the company’s first ever JCB excavator was also named.

Chris Balls, JC Balls & Sons Director commented, “Our family businesses have worked closely together for 60 years and we are honoured that JCB and TC Harrison JCB have marked the occasion with this event. Our business has grown and expanded over the last 60 years with their help and support along the way, and long may the partnership continue.”

He continues, “We are absolutely amazed with this special new machine. Our very first JCB excavator was a JCB 6 with red undercarriage, red bucket and white cab and carried my mother’s name – Mary. So, with this styling we’re bringing a little bit of history back. We first bought a 220X when it was launched and we have continued to buy them since. The operators love them. They love the comfort and the size of the cab and we’ve had very, very good reliability over the time we’ve had X Series models. We would recommend them to anybody.”