A squad of nine JCB Teletruk forklifts is playing a key role in preparing major stadiums that are hosting games during the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa.
The JCB Teletruks have been called up for general materials handling duties during the final construction and fit-out stages of hospitality suites and visitor facilities in and around the six principal World Cup venues in time to welcome thousands of fans from around the world.
All of the Teletruks have been supplied by Clarklift South Africa (PTY) Ltd., the JCB Industrial dealer in South Africa.
Two of the JCB Teletruks, manufactured by JCB Utility Products at their Cheadle plant in Staffordshire, have been deployed at Soccer City, Johannesburg - the main 94,000- capacity World Cup stadium that will stage the opening games as well as the 2010 World Cup Final.
There are also two machines working at the Durban Stadium and at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium, while there is one machine on each site at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Free State Stadium at Bloemfontein and Peter Mokaba Stadium at Polokwane.
Mike Poxon, International Sales Manager - JCB Industrial, said: "The tasks at the World Cup stadiums required a forklift truck that was flexible and capable of working on rough ground - and the JCB Teletruk fitted the bill perfectly.
"The Teletruk provides a superior lift capacity and forward reach that extends over debris and stock piles of building materials, as well as a compact size and 4WD capability to handle rugged site conditions and limited working spaces."
This is not the first time that JCB machines have been called up for World Cup duty - a 22 tonne JCB JS220 tracked excavator was used in the construction of the showcase Allianz Arena in Munich - the main stadium for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and now home to FC Bayern Munich.
Mike Poxon added: "We are delighted that JCB's world-renowned products have once again been selected to play an integral part in the world's largest football competition."