Bobcat

Bobcat Company is a renowned American manufacturer of farm and construction equipment, with headquarters in West Fargo, North Dakota, USA and its European headquarters located in Dobříš, Czech Republic. The company operates one of its European manufacturing plants in the same location. Bobcat was part of Ingersoll Rand Company from 1995 till 2007 when it was sold to Doosan Infracore for US$4.9 billion. It currently stands as one of the few major manufacturers based out of North Dakota.

History and Founding of Bobcat Company

Louis and Cyril Keller, founders of Keller Welding and Repair near Rothsay, Minnesota, in the 1950s, were approached by Eddie Velo—a turkey farmer in the area. Velo described his need for a machine small enough to maneuver within pole barns yet light enough for upper-level operation. In response, Louis and Cyril developed a three-wheeled design with a belt-driven transmission which was delivered to Velo on February 4th 1957.

Realizing certain drawbacks with their invention’s belt-drive system, Louis and Cyril worked diligently on perfecting it further; patenting their new clutch driven transmission system just one year later in 1958. This improved version became the basis of the Melroe M60 loader which was released two years later as part of its four wheeled M400 model – now known as ‘Skid Steer Loaders’ – rebranded under its more popular title: Bobcat in 1962. It is said that Les Melroe & advertising agent Lynn Bickett coined this name while driving between Minneapolis & Gwinner shortly prior – an idea supported by Sylvan Melroe who helped devise their slogan “tough, quick & agile” used prominently throughout Bobcat marketing campaigns ever since then.

Corporate Changes and Recent Developments

Melroe Manufacturing Company began a long and winding journey in 1969 when it was purchased by Clark Equipment Company. In 1995, this company was then acquired by Ingersoll-Rand and sold off to Doosan Group of South Korea for US$4.9 billion in 2007. This marked the beginning of Bobcat Company, as it is now known. By 2018, Doosan Infracore and Doosan Bobcat had separated into independent companies and on July 2021, Hyundai Heavy Industries took over 30% controlling stake of the former with an investment of $722.45 million. However, majority shareholder changed to Doosan Heavy Industries before sale of Doosan Infracore so that Bobcat remained a part of the group’s portfolio throughout this process.

Product Line

Bobcat is a leading manufacturer and distributor of small hydraulic equipment for use in numerous industries. Its products, including skid steer loaders, compact excavators, side-by-sides, compact tractors, and other pieces of machinery are renowned for their quality and durability. Bobcat also offers attachments and accessories to further extend the functionality of its equipment, making it an invaluable tool for businesses that use these products on a daily basis.

Final Thoughts

Bobcat Company has made a remarkable journey since its humble beginnings as a small welding and repair business. Today, it is renowned as one of the leading manufacturers of farm and construction equipment. Bobcat products are known for their quality and durability, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability.

Bobcat’s extensive network of dealerships and service centers span the globe, making its products accessible to customers worldwide. The company focuses on ensuring that all its equipment is designed with safety and environmental friendliness in mind. As such, Bobcat remains at the forefront of industry trends while maintaining its high standards for quality production.

The success story of Bobcat Company speaks volumes about their dedication towards excellence in product design, customer service, and environmental responsibility; this makes them an ideal choice among businesses looking for reliable agricultural or construction equipment suppliers. With their long history of innovation coupled with unwavering commitment to quality assurance measures; this iconic brand continues to be an important player within the industry worldwide – staying true to their founding motto “Serving Customers Worldwide”.