Bobcat is celebrating the production of its one-millionth loader.
The US-based firm’s milestone unit rolled off the production line on Satruday.
The compact equipment manufacturer welcomed the arrival of its landmark machine with a 5km run, factory tours, and a party at its local park in West Fargo, North Dakota.
“Today’s celebration of the one-millionth Bobcat loader is a real milestone, and a symbol of the company’s growth and dynamism,” commented John Hoeven, Senator for North Dakota.
Governor of North Dakota, Jack Dairymple, added: “Achieving this remarkable production milestone is a testament to Bobcat’s skilled workforce and to the company’s commitment to quality and innovation.”
In celebration of the production milestone, Bobcat has organised a range of festivities that have been taking place throughout 2014. The company even released a millionth-edition skid-steer loader with a bespoke paintjob.
The firm’s roots date back to the 1956, when brothers, Louis and Cyril Keller, invented a three-wheeled, self-propelled loader to facilitate the removal of manure at a local turkey farm. Melroe Manufacturing Company, which later became Bobcat, purchased the rights to this machine in 1958.
Today, Bobcat is North Dakota’s largest manufacturing company with more than 2,000 employees in total. The firm is now owned by South Korean construction equipment group, Doosan Infracore.
