Bobcat’s Manufacturing Support Center in Bismarck is expanding operations and Bobcat has made plans to acquire additional land in the Northern Plains Commerce Center to create an Innovation Center for product development and testing.
Production of Bobcat compact attachments will begin moving to the new MSC (the former Bobcat production facility) immediately. Menlo has operated in Bobcat’s facilities as a strategic logistics partner since 2006. As many as 150 new positions will be created to support expanded production operations for the compact attachments line, which is being shifted to the MSC from a Bobcat Company-owned plant in Litchfield, Minn. Bismarck expansion/Innovation Center announcement.
“This move enables us to better respond to customer demand for our attachments while leveraging the expertise of our strategic logistics partner in the process,” said Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat. “This is a positive move for Bobcat, Menlo, Bismarck and North Dakota.”
This move will allow increased production of Bobcat attachments and equipment in the state of North Dakota, Goldsbury said, adding that market demand for compact attachments has increased as customers seek new ways to diversify businesses by adding more attachments to their existing compact equipment.
“Menlo and Bobcat have enjoyed a strong relationship for six years, and we look forward to expanding that relationship,” said Bob Bianco, president of Menlo Worldwide Logistics. “Together we combine a world-class manufacturer with a worldclass logistics provider to produce high quality equipment for the customer. It’s a terrific partnership.”
“We’re proud to grow our business in North Dakota — we’ve built almost 1 million machines here,” Goldsbury said. “Adding positions, while also developing an environment to foster and accelerate the innovative spirit that has made Bobcat the market leader in compact equipment, is very exciting.”
Senator John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple welcomed the announcement.
“This is good news for Bismarck and good news for North Dakota,” Dalrymple said. “Bobcat’s expanding business presence in North Dakota will contribute to our continued economic diversity and provide great careers for our young and talented.”
Work will begin on the Innovation Center later this year and construction is expected to be completed by late 2014. Bobcat’s transition to produce compact attachments in Bismarck is expected to be complete later this year. The former MSC will be renovated, plus a 50,000 square-foot indoor arena will be added with a 5-acre outdoor operation area.
Source: Bobcat, offices of Senator Hoeven and Governor Dalrymple
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