JCB
UK construction equipment manufacturer whose machinery has been documented by Amnesty International in Palestinian home demolitions and illegal settlement construction. The UK government found JCB in breach of OECD human rights guidelines in November 2021.
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- Strategic AnalysisIn-depth analysis and engagement strategy
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Material Risk Framing
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UK government body found JCB in breach of OECD human rights guidelines. Amnesty International's Crisis Evidence Lab verified over 100 photos and videos documenting JCB equipment in Palestinian home demolitions. Company listed in UN Human Rights Council database of businesses involved in illegal settlements.
Growing pressure from UK councils and public bodies reviewing procurement contracts. Multiple calls for exclusion from public procurement following the UK NCP ruling. Lord Bamford's political donations have drawn additional scrutiny to the company's human rights record.
UK National Contact Point found JCB breached OECD Guidelines by failing to conduct human rights due diligence and lacking a human rights policy. ICJ Advisory Opinion (July 2024) determined Israel's occupation is unlawful, potentially exposing companies contributing to occupation infrastructure.
JCB's LiveLink diagnostic system tracks equipment location but company has not used this capability to prevent misuse. Supply chain through Israeli distributor Comasco creates ongoing exposure to documented human rights violations.
Product Alternatives
Ethical replacements tagged by what matters to you: cost, quality, ethics, sustainability, or local sourcing. Make the switch today.
Backhoe Loaders & Excavators
Alternative construction equipment manufacturers without documented involvement in Palestinian home demolitions or UN settlement database listing
Japanese manufacturer known for fuel efficiency and technological innovation. Comprehensive range of excavators and loaders.
Japan-headquartered. Strong dealer network and parts availability. Lower lifetime maintenance costs reported. Verify current Israeli operations before procurement.
Swedish manufacturer emphasising operator comfort, environmental performance, and electromobility solutions.
Sweden-headquartered. Strong ESG focus and sustainability commitments. Leading in electric construction equipment. Review for Israeli operations.
Japanese manufacturer with comprehensive excavator range and strong global presence.
Japan-headquartered. Known for excavator reliability and performance. Strong technical support network.
Telehandlers & Agricultural Equipment
Alternative suppliers for telescopic handlers and agricultural machinery
French manufacturer specialising in telehandlers and material handling equipment.
France-headquartered. Market leader in telehandlers. Strong European dealer network and support.
Italian family-owned telehandler specialist with innovative design.
Italy-headquartered. Family-owned company. Known for innovation and operator comfort.
Comparison Legend
Strategic Analysis
In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.
High severity, high vulnerability — campaigns with the best chance of making an impact
Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).
Why do these scores change?
Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.
JCB represents an exceptionally high-value boycott target due to the UK government's own finding that the company breached OECD human rights guidelines. This official ruling eliminates the need to prove complicity - a UK government body has already determined JCB failed to conduct human rights due diligence despite documented use of its equipment in Palestinian home demolitions. The company's UK headquarters and significant public sector customer base create substantial pressure points for procurement intervention.
Key Leverage Points
- UK NCP Ruling: The November 2021 UK National Contact Point ruling provides an authoritative, government-endorsed finding of human rights breach that can be cited in procurement challenges, investor engagements, and public campaigns without need for further substantiation.
- UN Database Listing: JCB is one of only three British companies listed in the UN Human Rights Council database of businesses involved in settlement activities, providing additional authoritative basis for exclusion.
- Public Procurement Exposure: As a major supplier to UK local authorities, infrastructure contractors, and public bodies, JCB is vulnerable to procurement exclusion under ethical sourcing policies.
- Hypocrisy Gap: JCB's Modern Slavery Statement claims "zero tolerance" for human rights abuses while the company demonstrably failed to implement basic due diligence. This contradiction provides compelling messaging for campaigns.
Evidence Summary
Amnesty International's Crisis Evidence Lab verified over 100 photos and videos from 56 separate incidents between 2011-2021, documenting JCB backhoe loaders, tracked excavators, and other equipment used in Palestinian home demolitions and illegal settlement construction. Who Profits research documented JCB equipment displacing at least 41,251 Palestinians between 2019-2022 alone. The UK NCP investigation confirmed JCB was aware of these impacts but "did not take any steps to conduct human rights due diligence of any kind." Despite possessing LiveLink technology capable of tracking equipment location and usage, JCB has taken no action to prevent misuse. The company's defence - that it sells through an independent distributor (Comasco) - was rejected by the UK NCP as failing to reflect "the spirit of the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct."
Engagement Strategy
Weaponise the UK NCP ruling in all procurement interventions. Target local authority procurement officers, NHS trusts, university estates departments, and infrastructure contractors with the documented government finding. Frame JCB equipment as a compliance risk under ethical procurement policies and ESG standards. Emphasise the availability of alternative suppliers (Komatsu, Volvo, Hitachi, Liebherr) who are not UN-listed for settlement activities. Engage institutional investors on reputational risk and the company's failure to implement NCP recommendations. Support council motions to exclude JCB from public contracts and highlight any ongoing procurement relationships for public scrutiny. The combination of UK government ruling, UN listing, and Amnesty documentation creates an unusually strong evidence base for exclusion campaigns.
Evidence & Sources
Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.
Documents JCB equipment used in demolitions displacing at least 41,251 Palestinians between 2019-2022, plus involvement in Apartheid Wall and settlement infrastructure construction.
Open sourceDetailed analysis of JCB's failure to conduct due diligence in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories, documenting ongoing use of equipment in demolitions.
Open sourceUK government body found JCB failed to conduct human rights due diligence and lacked a human rights policy, in breach of OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Open sourceAmnesty's Crisis Evidence Lab verified over 100 photos and videos from 56 incidents showing JCB equipment used in home demolitions and settlement construction between 2011-2021.
Open sourceLawyers for Palestinian Human Rights' successful OECD complaint documented JCB products involved in at least 60 out of 266 demolitions in a single year.
Open sourceJCB is one of three British companies listed in the UN Human Rights Council database of businesses involved in Israel's illegal settlement enterprise.
Open sourceUpdates & Milestones
- Mass demolitions in refugee camps
Israeli military bulldozers reportedly demolished dozens of buildings in Nur Shams refugee camp. Human Rights Watch documented at least 850 homes destroyed across three camps using tracked machinery.
- ICJ Advisory Opinion on occupation
International Court of Justice determines Israel's presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, strengthening legal basis for challenging companies contributing to occupation.
- Wadi al-Khalil village demolished
JCB machinery reportedly used by Israeli authorities to demolish 47 homes in Palestinian Bedouin village in the Naqab, leaving over 300 residents homeless, according to media reports.
- JCB equipment demolishes Khirbet Humsah
JCB machinery used to demolish 13 residential and 17 agricultural structures, displacing nine Bedouin families. Sixth such incident in the community that year.
- Amnesty publishes Off Track report
Amnesty International's Crisis Evidence Lab releases verified documentation of over 100 incidents showing JCB equipment used in demolitions and settlement construction.
- UK NCP rules against JCB
UK government body finds JCB in breach of OECD human rights guidelines for failing to conduct due diligence and lacking a human rights policy. NCP mandates corrective action.
- JCB listed in UN database
UN Human Rights Council publishes database of companies involved in settlement-related activities, including JCB as one of three listed British companies.
- LPHR files OECD complaint against JCB
Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights submits comprehensive evidence-based OECD complaint to UK National Contact Point documenting JCB equipment in Palestinian home demolitions.