JCB North America president, Richard Fox-Marrs (L) congratulates aftermarket sales specialist, John Carter, on his 40 years of service with JCB.

JCB North America hosted its annual “Celebrating Success” event to recognize employees who made extraordinary contributions to the company's success in 2017, and to celebrate those who achieved significant employment anniversaries in the past 12 months. The event at the company's headquarters in Savannah, Ga., was attended by 250 employees.

“JCB's success in North America is the result of meaningful and significant contributions by hundreds of our teammates in Savannah, and across the United States and Canada,” said Richard Fox-Marrs, president of JCB North America.

“Our annual 'Celebrating Success' event gives us the opportunity to recognize individuals and teams whose contribution in 2017 was truly exceptional. It also allows us to show our appreciation for employees who achieved service milestones in the past year.”

The ceremony first recognized milestone years service anniversaries of more than 60 employees, including two 30-year service award recipients, Steve Fox, president of Direct Sales and Product, and Chris Harrison, development engineer, and 40-year service award recipient, John Carter, aftermarket sales specialist.

Following the service awards, JCB named the13 individual and teams winners of its 2017 Excellence Awards:

Customer Focus: Leah Grafton — machine supply supervisor

Best Kaizen: Evelyn Ruff — HMEE team lead

People Champion: Chris Trampush — manufacturing group leader

Best Sales Professional: Alex Wood — regional sales manager

Safety Award: Jay Way — PC group leader

Best Apprentice: Ramon Gonzalez — apprentice

Best Apprentice Mentor: Benjamin Tounge — skid steer quality technician

Best Team: National Accounts — Rebecca Bryson, Ben Coleman, Amanda Deloach, Russell Durand, Bronwyn Hollis, Jim Hockaday, Bill Marks, Maeve McPhail, Brett Mitea, Glenn Patten, Caitlin Sears, Patrick Smith, Melissa Stafford, Andrea Whelan and Mark White

Best Team: Teleskid Engineering — Stephen Ackermann, Marshall Adams, Brian Barolet, Paul Belfield, Paul Bigoney, Douglas Branham, Douglas Davidowski, Shaun Fields, Wayne Flynn, Bhagat Gundu, Justin Haddock, Christopher Harrison, Douglas McIlwain, Jason Middleton, Christopher Nierenhausen, Jeffrey Sapp, Richard Waterfall, Ben Williams and Dustin Yearicks

Outstanding Contribution: Nicola Dunion — Purchasing Buyer

Outstanding Contribution: Benefits Team — Jennifer Stewart and Kim Hinds-Barrow

Spirit of JCB: Brian Abel — General service manager, direct sales

Spirit of JCB: West Coast Launch Team — Nathan Burnham, John Carter, JP Moncada, Josh Nielsen, Nigel Talbot-Smith and Amy Thomas

“JCB employees are innovative, professional, and leaders in their field,” said Fox-Marrs.

“Those recognized today exemplify the qualities that have made JCB a leader in our industry and will ensure JCB's continued success and growth in North America.”

For more information, visit www.jcb.com.

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