Beast born in Czechia

More than 40 countries

Dobříš campus consists of a team of people from over 40 countries and offers opportunities for Czech and international professionals.

Compact loaders and excavators

We are also a major manufacturer of compact wheel loaders, track loaders, excavators, and other machinery for construction, agriculture, landscaping, and other industries.

Since 2007

Since 2007, we've been designing, innovating, manufacturing, and testing a range of machines for the global market in Dobříš, Czechia.

Skid steer loader

The first such machine was created more than 65 years ago in North Dakota, USA, and today our logo adorns almost every other loader in the world.

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 af climate chamber and af 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.

Factory

Innovation center

Administrative building

Bobcat Institute

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).

2014

The Innovation Center opens with a total investment of 350 million CZK (90 million support from EU funds).

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.

Stories from
our team

Bobcat is one of the most dynamic companies I have ever worked for. In my five years here, no two years have been the same. You will not find more than 5 similar manufacturing companies in the Czech market covering everything from research and development to service. And connected to that is opportunity – we have countless departments, and the company offers avenues for self-realization in whatever will make you feel content.

Michaela Stará

Sales Performance Leader

My favourite thing about my job is the impact you can make. As an designer, your projects are about developing a machine from A to Z, from the initial concept, through detailed design, building a prototype, testing, implementation and production, all the way to the point where the first machine leaves the assembly line. Walking around Prague, and seeing construction work being done with a machine you and your colleagues designed – there are not many companies in Europe where you can experience that!

Michal Slabý

Senior Engineering Manager

I'm fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share the same level of dedication and focus on achieving amazing results. No matter how challenging the tasks may be, we manage to maintain a friendly and supportive atmosphere, which fosters a positive and productive work environment. Working alongside such motivated and supportive colleagues makes the journey towards our goal rewarding.

Aleš Bálek

Facility Manager

In my current role, I focus on understanding market needs. This involves searching the market for opportunities or analysing market and consumer trends. I enjoy the fact that my work is completely different and fun. I have the opportunity to help each department, and the ever-changing nature of our company and the evolving market needs mean that each day brings something new.

Vijayshekhar Nerva

Innovation Acceleration Management EMEA

I get the feeling that people are proud to work here. We have lots of talented people working at Bobcat, and many for their entire careers. I am proud to be a grandson working at the company that my grandfather and great-uncle played such a large part in. I have taken pictures of myself in these places and sent them to my mum so she can see one of her children getting to experience a great life largely because of her dad. I simply have a personal connection to Bobcat!

Michael Mathers

Regional Category Manager
Grandson of Louis Keller, co-inventor of the world’s 1st compact loader

Jürgen's journey with Bobcat began more than 26 years ago when he chose the company as the subject of his college thesis.The more he got to know the brand, the more he wanted to work there. With experience in various positions at several Bobcat locations worldwide, he now leads operator training at the Bobcat Institute.

His daughter, Nina, has recently been selected for the apprenticeship program at Bobcat. "Maybe it's not the cosmetic or fashion industry, but I appreciate the wide range of projects and tasks I work on in the Attachments Department. I can see that the company is continually to investing in new products, and that's exciting!“

Jürgen Gremez

EMEA Training Director

Nina Gremez

Trainee Product Management

Careers

We’re looking
for fresh talents

At Bobcat, we are constantly on the lookout for fresh talents to join our team – from trainees and university graduates to manufacturing specialists and seasoned professionals in various fields of expertise. Get in touch with us!

35 mins*

by bus

30 mins**

by car

*from Smíchovské nádraží
**from Prague city centre

Safety and Environment

Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Protection, and Quality Management

Policies of management systems according to ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001 standards can be found here.

Certificates of management systems according to ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001 standards can be found here.

INFORMATION ON END-OF-LIFE PRODUCT TAKE-BACK – TIRES - CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Bobcat
helps out

We care about the world around us. That's why our company and employees regularly participate in community service projects. For instance, in September 2023, Bobcat declared a Community Engagement Day, during which more than 1,000 of our employees in 12 countries commited to contribute thousands of volunteer hours, ranging from cleaning up the countryside to building playgrounds. "Our goal is to create a positive social impact in the communities where we live and work," says Scott Park, CEO of Doosan Bobcat.

Cooperation with EU

The technological expansion of the Innovation Centre was co-financed by the European Union. The main objective of the project is to further expand the research and development activities in Dobříš with new equipment that will ensure long-term research and development goals. The following equipment was purchased within the project: a CNC machining centre, a horizontal boring machine, and a dynamometer.

The technologies are accessible to other entities under pre-agreed terms. For more information, please contact Eric Franco (eric.franco@doosan.com).

EU Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu

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of our Czech sales representative,
Bobcat CZ.

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