Since the plant’s launch in 1964, more than 1.8 million British-made machines have rolled off the now two-kilometre production line. The site employs 1,000 people, makes 23,000 tractors each year, and uses 600 tonnes of material every day.

To mark half a century of achievements and to thank dedicated employees, on Thursday March 13th New Holland Managing Director Andrew Watson welcomed the guests in the Customer Centre, prepared in a special 50th anniversary livery, before inviting them to a guided tour of the plant and a special lunch in the inspiring state-of-the-art show room.

At the event was one of the early plant managers, 73-year-old Bob Friedlander, who was in charge from 1985-92 but first arrived in 1963 as a graduate trainee.

He said: “The whole assembly site has moved forward in leaps and bounds. It’s become far more efficient and safer. We’re all thrilled to see the Basildon plant still exists and is going from strength to strength.”

The first models produced were the Ford 3000, 4000 and 5000 series but Basildon is now home to the powerful and popular T6 and T7 ranges. They fly the flag for British manufacturing in 120 export markets worldwide, helping to make New Holland one of the UK’s top 15 exporters.

As well as investing in the local area, the site has grown into a centre for New Holland’s technological and environmental advances. It is capable of producing 14,500 bespoke combinations of specifications.

Don Ayrton (83), who worked at Basildon for 29 years, said: “It’s beautifully clean and unbelievably efficient. The working environment is infinitely better and it’s very, very modern and the quality that is being produced now is better too.”