JCB’s John Patterson CBE, who rose through the ranks from field service engineer to group chief executive, has retired after 43 years’ service. His retirement sees Arjun Mirdha take up the position of president and CEO of JCB in North America, where Patterson has led operations since 2008 as chairman and CEO.

Patterson joined JCB in 1971 and went on to work in Canada and America before returning to the UK in 1988 as managing director of JCB service. In 1993, he was appointed managing director of JCB sales before becoming group CEO — only the third person in JCB’s history to hold the position.

He went on to become the company’s second longest serving CEO, and in his 10 years in the role, sales broke the $1.56 billion mark for the first time, eventually reaching more than $3.13 billion by the time he stood down in 2008. He then became chairman and CEO of JCB Inc. based in North America.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “During John’s time as chief executive, JCB achieved unprecedented sales growth and led the company’s transformation into a truly global company. I thank John for his contribution over the past 43 years and am delighted he will remain a director of the JCB Group and chairman of the board of the JCB USA companies.”

Under Patterson’s leadership as Group CEO, JCB opened facilities in Savannah, Ga.; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Pune, India and Shanghai, China. In 2010 he oversaw a $40 million investment in a new range of skid steer and compact track loaders which went into production at JCB’s North American HQ in Savannah.

Patterson, “I am proof that that there are no boundaries to career development at JCB and I have had an incredible time over the past 43 years. I am proud to have been part of a team which has seen JCB become the world’s third largest construction equipment manufacturer and achieve market leadership for many of its products.

“JCB has made excellent progress in North America in recent years but there are many more opportunities to be seized and I wish Arjun Mirdha well as he leads the team as president and CEO of JCB in North America.”

Arjun Mirdha took up his new role Jan. 1, 2014, reporting directly to Graeme Macdonald, JCB Group chief executive.

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