we are bobcat
For over 70 years, we've led the compact equipment industry, driving innovation and empowering our customers to succeed.
Learn moreMaking Our Mark
Founded more than 60 years
ago in the USA
Invented the world’s
first skid-steer loader in 1957
Over the years, we have become
a market leader
Employees based
in Dobris
Our EMEA Headquarters has been
based in Dobris, Czech Republic since 2017
We build machines from A-Z
in our Dobříš campus
Our
locations
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- France
- Belgium
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- South Africa
Our Campus
in Dobříš
Bobcat's headquarters for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is located on the outskirts of Dobříš in the Central Bohemian Region. Over 1,000 people commute here for work daily.
The facility includes a manufacturing plant where our colleagues produce approximately 25,000 machines annually for customers in the EMEA region. Some of the production is also exported to America, Asia, and other countries around the world.
In the Innovation Centre, Bobcat’s engineers and designers test, innovate, and develop new products and technologies. The Centre features some high-tech facilities, including a climate chamber and a unique noise chamber used for measuring machine noise levels.
The Bobcat Institute serves as our training Centre, where we offer service and product training to dealers, customers, and operators, ensuring they have the essential knowledge and skills.
In the newest office building, which opened in 2019, the company's management team resides, along with all administrative and support departments, including strategy, finance, human resources, marketing, sourcing, sales, aftermarket, and more.
Our Story
Milestones
in Bobcat’s
history
1947
The Bobcat story begins in Gwinner, North Dakota, USA, with the founding of Melroe Manufacturing Company by Edward Gideon ‘E. G.’ Melroe.
1957
The Keller brothers develop a small 3-wheeled loader for a local turkey farmer, Eddie Velo.
1958
Melroe purchases the manufacturing rights and presents the M60 production model loader at the Minnesota State Fair.
1960
The M-400 model is born, the world’s first true compact skid-steer loader with 4-wheel-drive.
1962
The M440 is the first skid-steer loader to use the Melroe Bobcat trademark.
1965
Licensed production of skid-steer loaders for the European market begins in England.
1969
Melroe brothers sell their company to Clark Equipment Company.
1986
The first Bobcat compact excavators are introduced in Europe.
1995
Ingersoll-Rand acquires Melroe and its parent organisation, Clark.
2001
Bobcat purchases Superstav, a manufacturer of compact backhoe loaders based in Dobříš, Czech Republic.
2003
Bobcat introduces telehandlers, backhoe loaders, mini-track loaders, and utility vehicles.
2004
The former Superstav plant in Dobříš produces the first Bobcat 553 skid-steer loader.
2007
Doosan Infracore, founded in 1896 in Seoul, South Korea, purchases Bobcat and renames it Doosan Bobcat. The company opens a brand new factory in Dobříš, Czech Republic and becomes one of the fastest growing companies in the world.
2014
The Innovation Center opens with a total investment of CZK 350 million (EU subsidy of CZK 90 million).
2015
Doosan Bobcat employs 800 people and produces 12,000 machines per year.
2017
The Doosan Bobcat EMEA headquarters relocates from Waterloo (Belgium) to a modern campus in Dobříš.
2019
The new Doosan Bobcat EMEA Headquarters opens in Dobříš.
2019
Bobcat introduces the new E10e electric mini-excavator, with zero emissions, reduced noise, a width of just 71 cm, and a full-day battery.
2020
48 new products launch in 12 different categories, including new Compact Wheel Loaders, Small Articulated Loaders, and Light Compaction.
2021
Doosan Bobcat acquires forklift manufacturer, Doosan Industrial Vehicles.
2022
Bobcat rolls out Ground Maintenance Equipment in the EMEA following its success on the North American market.
2023 / 2024
Doosan Bobcat announces its global brand strategy: Forklift, Portable Power, and Ryan Turf Equipment transition to the Bobcat Brand.