Mini Security measures mean major savings for customers

JCB has taken a big step to protect its smallest plant by announcing all JCB mini and midi excavators sold in the UK now feature its 3-star Thatcham approved immobiliser fitted as standard. With over £1 million worth of plant stolen every week across the UK and Ireland - and just five per cent ever recovered - this move will protect thousands more machines against theft and reduce insurance premiums on them by up to 45 per cent.

The 801 mini excavators were the first to benefit from the fitting of immobilisers in 2010 and the security measures have gradually been rolled out to the rest of the range, culminating now in the final three models, the 8025, 8030 and 8035ZTS machines, having the security device.

This means all of JCB's extensive 16-machine mini and midi excavator line-up - from the 1.5-tonne 8014CTS model up to the 8-tonne 8085ZTS - now have the new JCB immobiliser. It is available as either a key transponder immobiliser or a key pad punch button pin system, depending on customer preference.

Key customer benefits include:

• Reduced insurance rates of up to 45%

• Nil insurance theft excess when insured with JCB Plantmaster insurance

• Reduced likelihood of machine theft

• Increased control over machines by eliminating unauthorised starting

• Restriction of machine use to approved and competent operators only

• Easy management of the system - enabling the addition or re-programming of keys or PIN

JCB's UK & Ireland Sales Director Yvette Henshall-Bell said: "This latest announcement is another clear signal of our commitment in the on-going fight against plant theft in the UK. JCB's development of a 3-star Thatcham approved immobiliser and decision to fit it as standard across our mini and midi excavator range sends a clear message to our customers. We will continue to invest in measures to help protect their businesses and reduce the cost of owning JCB equipment."

Thatcham - the motor insurance repair research centre - is a non-profit organisation created and funded by the UK motor insurance companies to develop nationally recognised standards for security equipment. Its endorsement of a product has a significant impact on insurance rates for equipment. To obtain approval, machines fitted with this immobiliser system have been subjected to a 15 minute attack test as well as demonstrating compliance with a number of other stringent requirements, such as limiting the number of attempts to enter a code and the duration of the 'restart window' after a machine is stopped.

While Thatcham approval is only recognised in the UK, the same superb JCB immobiliser (key or PIN) is available as a factory fitted option for all regions.

For further information contact: Nigel Chell JCB Press Office
Tel: 01889 590312 Fax: 01889593455 E-mail: nigel.chell@jcb.com www.jcb.com