JCB power tool range relaunch: 18V Pro platform insights for site engineers
Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

First reported on The Construction Index
30 Second Briefing
Genpower has relaunched the JCB-branded line with the JCB Pro 18V cordless platform, developed tool-by-tool over two years to compete directly with Bosch Blue, DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee for professional construction, maintenance and agricultural use. The Pro 18V combi drill delivers 160Nm torque via a brushless motor with anti-kickback control and a 13mm ROHM metal chuck, while the Pro 18V grease gun provides up to 10,150psi (700 bar) and 300g/min flow with cartridge and bulk-fill options. All tools share a common 18V Li-ion battery system to standardise site kits and reduce downtime.
Technical Brief
- Genpower holds the global JCB power tools licence, acquired via purchase of Greatstar’s tool businesses.
- The distributor is based at Pembroke Dock, giving UK-centred logistics for construction and maintenance markets.
- Genpower also licenses Hyundai-branded tools in the UK and France, indicating multi-brand service and support infrastructure.
- JCB Pro 18V tools were benchmarked individually against Bosch Blue, DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee equivalents.
- Development ran for two years on a tool-by-tool basis, rather than a single flagship product refresh.
- Product director Tom Milnthorpe stresses design for “real working environments” where downtime directly impacts operating cost.
- Range positioning is “priced for the working trade”, targeting professional rather than DIY purchasing budgets.
- Warranty and structured aftersales support are core to the platform offer, important for fleet-managed site kits.
Our Take
JCB has featured heavily in recent Infrastructure coverage, from the US$205m US Marine Corps loader contract to sizeable UK rental fleet orders, so the JCB Tools relaunch positions the 18V Pro range to ride on the same brand strength now entrenched in both defence and plant-hire channels.
With Rocket Rentals and other UK hirers expanding JCB machine fleets, an 18V cordless platform and high‑pressure (700 bar) grease gun give JCB and Genpower a route to embed the brand into day‑to‑day maintenance and fit‑out tasks on the same projects where JCB plant is already operating.
The torque and chuck specifications on the JCB Pro 18V combi drill pitch it directly into the professional tier dominated by Bosch Blue, DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee, signalling that JCB Tools is targeting trade contractors on UK and French sites rather than just leveraging JCB’s DIY or brand‑loyal customer base.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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