Year in Review: Bobcat recaps new products, investments and initiatives of 2023

Posted on Dec 20, 2023 in Nuts & Bolts

As 2023 comes to a close, Bobcat Company is recapping its major initiatives and announcements from the year.

Bobcat, a global equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, celebrated a year of company growth, investments, strategic partnerships and new product introductions.

Here are a few highlights from the year:

January 2023:

Inventors honored: Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat® skid-steer loader), were selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame(NIHF). Read more.
Most compact telehandler available: At just 6-feet wide, the TL519 is Bobcat’s most compact telehandler in its lineup, bringing powerful performance and enhanced maneuverability to jobsites big and small. Read more.
Equipment showcased: Bobcat showcased its latest products at World of Concrete 2023, which included skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, telehandlers, compact excavators, compact wheel loaders, its light compaction lineup and several attachments perfect for concrete work. Read more.
Parts distribution expanded: A new 396,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta opened marking Bobcat’s third parts distribution center in the U.S. The Atlanta location joined the other Bobcat parts distribution centers in Woodridge, Ill., and Reno, Nev. Read more.

February 2023:

Factory technology enhanced: A $9.3 million investment in punch press automation and press technology was installed at the Bobcat manufacturing facility in Gwinner, N.D. The press line more than doubles press production capabilities, reduces energy consumption, lowers noise levels and improves complex forming for sheet metal parts, all of which help meet the increasing demand for Bobcat equipment. Read more.
Ag-tech partnership established: Bobcat and Agtonomy, a Silicon Valley-based, ag tech software company, announce their partnership to advance productivity in the agriculture industry through collaboration in the areas of electrification, autonomous operation and digital technology. Read more.

March 2023:

Global brand strategy unleashed: Bobcat announced plans to grow its brand portfolio with the transition of Doosan Portable Power, Doosan Industrial Air and Doosan Industrial Vehicle rebranding under the Bobcat brand in 2024. Read more.
Innovation accelerated: Bobcat demonstrates its innovative capabilities by unveiling the world’s first all-electric skid-steer loader, the Bobcat S7X, and a new autonomous and all-electric loader, the Bobcat RogueX, during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. Read more.
Material handling introduction: Following the news that Doosan Industrial Vehicle material handling equipment will transition to the Bobcat brand, forklifts showcased in new Bobcat branding were displayed at ProMat 2023. Bobcat also introduced its hydrogen fuel cell forklift prototype at the show. Read more.
Creating vibrant and sustainable parks: Bobcat announces its partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Through this partnership, Bobcat extended five grants, each worth $50,000 to support park improvement projects. Read more.

April 2023:

Dealers recognized: Sixteen Bobcat dealerships were honored as the highest-performing dealers for Bobcat in North America according to the company’s Dealer Performance Review. Read more.

May 2023:

Recognized for innovation: The all-electric Bobcat T7X compact track loader was recognized as a winner of Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards. It received multiple Fast Company honors as it was selected as the winner of the Transportation category, a finalist in the General Excellence category and honorable mention in the North America category. Read more.
History commemorated: Bobcat put its history on display with an exhibit within the National Inventors Hall of Fame® Museumin Alexandria, VA. The exhibit, which runs through April 2024, features one of the Keller brothers’ original three-wheel loaders, along with a timeline of Bobcat’s history and a video display highlighting various aspects of Bobcat’s products, people and initiatives. Read more.

June 2023:

Strategic investment announced: Following the announcement of their partnership in February 2023, Bobcat announced its subsequent investment in Agtonomy to help agriculture and land maintenance operators optimize operations through sustainable, innovative solutions. Read more.
Manufacturing facility renovated: A $5.3 million renovation at the Bobcat Johnson Creek facility modernized the office and employee spaces with an open-concept design, which included multiple meeting and conference rooms, updated furniture and an enhanced employee break room. Read more.
New product announcement: Bobcat expanded its grounds maintenance lineup with the debut of the Bobcat AT450 articulating tractor. Read more.
Sponsoring Park and Recreation Month: Celebrated every July, NRPA’s Park and Recreation Month promotes building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation areas. Bobcat’s sponsorship of the month further amplified NRPA’s efforts and recognized the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals. Read more.

July 2023:

Backyard makeover contest commences: Bobcat announced its contest to win a $25,000 backyard makeover, along with the opportunity to meet country music superstar Justin Moore. Read more.
Park grant recipients named: The five winners of the Bobcat and NRPA grant were announced. Each park received $50,000 for improvements projects, as well as a new Bobcat zero-turn mower. Read more.

August 2023:

New industrial air compressor introduced: A new 150-hp fixed-speed, oil-flooded, rotary screw compressor was introduced to the industrial air lineup. It will be known as the IA150 in 2024 as part of Doosan Industrial Air’s transition into the Bobcat portfolio. Read more.
Backyard makeover winner announced: Julie Rummer of Turlock, Calif., was announced as the winner of the Bobcat Backyard Makeover. Her moving story garnered the most public votes rewarding her with a $25,000 backyard renovation and a chance to meet Justin Moore. Read more.

September 2023:

Communities served: More than 1,000 Bobcat employees around the world took part in its company-organized volunteer projects. Together, these employees supported nearly 100 different volunteer projects benefiting the places Bobcat calls home. Read more.
New excavator joins lineup: Bobcat expanded its lineup of compact excavatorsto include the newly released Bobcat E40. As part of the lineup expansion, Bobcat also revised the model numbers for its 3-to-5-ton excavator lineup to more closely align with the industry’s size class. Read more.
New equipment on display: Bobcat showcased some of its latest equipment at The Utility Expo 2023, including electric equipment, its latest Platinum machines, portable power in the Bobcat brand and more. Read more.

October 2023:

Bobcat expands its portfolio again: Bobcat announces RYAN® turf renovation equipmentwill rebrand under the Bobcat trade dress in 2024. Read more.
Most powerful Bobcat compact wheel loader: The Bobcat L95 compact wheel loader offers Bobcat customers exceptional material-handling capabilities with large bucket capacity, high lift height, swift travel speeds and the maneuverability to accomplish more. Read more.
Industry-leading grounds maintenance on display: Bobcat showcased an array of new products at Equip Exposition 2023. All-new machines made their trade show debut, including the Bobcat AT450 articulating tractor, the Bobcat E40 compact excavator, the Bobcat ZT5000 zero-turn mower and the newly rebranded Bobcat turf renovation equipment. Read more.
Newest zero-turn mower grows Bobcat offering: Bobcat expands its lineup of zero-turn mowerswith the launch of the ZT5000, a high-performing, turf-taming machine that’s built to tackle challenging mowing tasks with precision, ease and the perfect cut. Read more.
Celebrating industry inventors: Cyril and Louis Keller were formally inducted into the NIHF. The Keller brothers were posthumously recognized during the NIHF Illumination and Induction Ceremonies held Oct. 25-26 in Washington, D.C. Read more.

November 2023:

Advancing education: Bobcat donates $5 million toward a new Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences at North Dakota State University. Read more.
Manufacturing footprint growth: Bobcat announces intentions to expand its footprint with a new manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, anticipated to begin production in early 2026. Read more.

December 2023:

Supporting nonprofits through philanthropy: More than $175,000 is donated by Bobcat and its employees as part of its annual fall giving campaign. Read more.
A growing line of attachments: Bobcat highlights several new attachments introduced throughout the year including new disc mulchers, drum mulchers, augers and more. Read more.