Senator John Hoeven spoke at a ceremony held in Gwinner to celebrate the production of Bobcat Company's one millionth loader. The senator praised Bobcat's employees for their continued innovation and positive impact on North Dakota and thanked the Gwinner community for serving as the company's primary production facility. He said Bobcat and North Dakota have grown together and are now major participants in the global economy. Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat and Doosan, introduced the senator at today's event.
Hoeven has been working, both as governor and now as senator, to help expand Bobcat's operations in North Dakota. In 2011, he traveled to South Korea to promote trade and push for the new U.S.-South Korea Trade Agreement that passed in the last session of Congress. While there, Hoeven met with Yongmaan Park, Chairman of Doosan Corp., the parent company of Bobcat. Hoeven encouraged him to expand Bobcat's operations in North Dakota, and last year the company announced its current $20 million expansion plans in Bismarck to expand the Northern Plains Commerce Centre (NPCC) facility.
While governor in 2001, Hoeven celebrated the 500,000th Bobcat loader to roll off the line, and in 2008 he participated in a ceremony celebrating Bobcat's 50th anniversary which was held one day following the 750,000 loader to roll off the line.
“Today's celebration of the one millionth Bobcat loader is a real milestone, and a symbol of the company's growth and dynamism,” said Hoeven. “It also serves as a fitting opportunity to recognize the Gwinner community, Bobcat's employees and the state's effort to build the pro-growth business climate that enables Bobcat and other great companies to thrive here. We're committed to ensuring that we remain a good home for the Bobcat, helping to maintain a climate for the kind of growth and innovation that creates milestones like the one we're celebrating today.”
Gov. Jack Dalrymple offered his congratulations as well.
“Achieving this remarkable production milestone is a testament to Bobcat's skilled workforce and to the company's commitment to quality and innovation,” Dalrymple said. “Bobcat is a great North Dakota success story, a major employer and a valued member of the state's thriving manufacturing sector.”
Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley today joined Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat-Doosan of North America, and hundreds of Bobcat employees at the Gwinner plant to celebrate the production of the company's one millionth loader. Gov. Dalrymple is attending National Governors' Association meetings.
Bobcat Company is the largest manufacturing company in North Dakota, with more than 2,000 employees in the state. The company has production facilities in Gwinner, Bismarck, Wahpeton, France and the Czech Republic, but all of its loaders are produced at the Gwinner plant. In addition to skid steer loaders, Bobcat manufactures compact track loaders, all-wheel loaders, compact excavators, telehandlers and other utility work machines.
Friday's production milestone comes six years after Bobcat Co. celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Melroe Manufacturing Co. began producing the Bobcat loader in 1958. Today, Bobcat Co. has more than 900 Bobcat dealers in about 100 countries.
Others who joined Wrigley and Goldsbury at the celebration included Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kevin Cramer, Gwinner Mayor Dan McKeever as well as members of the Melroe and Keller families who invented, manufactured and branded the original Bobcat loader.
Source: ND Ag Connection
Posted by Northern Ag Network
