Special-Edition Book Marks 50th Anniversary of Bobcat and Compact Equipment
WEST FARGO, N.D. — October 2007A recently released book details the colorful history of North Dakota-based Bobcat Company from the humble beginnings of the first compact loader to what has grown into a worldwide brand icon. Now, the compact equipment manufacturer is offering a special edition of the hardcover coffee table book that will not be sold in stores.
To mark its 50th Anniversary, Bobcat has introduced “Bobcat: Fifty Years of Opportunity — 1958 – 2008.” Published by Motorbooks International (MBI) and authored by Marty Padgett, “Bobcat: Fifty Years of Opportunity — 1958 – 2008” features 11 chapters and 264 pages. MBI also published a bookstore version – “Bobcat Fifty Years” – with five chapters and 216 pages. The special edition will only be available through Bobcat channels starting in mid-October.
“We realized that there was a little more of interest to Bobcat dealers, employees and former employees, friends and neighbors, and to good Bobcat customers who are as much a part of the history as we are,” said Leroy Anderson, marketing communication manager and Bobcat Company historian. “So we added six more chapters full of anecdotes and advertising history that paint an even richer picture of the unique Bobcat culture.”
“Bobcat: Fifty Years of Opportunity” contains a complete Bobcat® product index and interviews with many of the key individuals who helped transform the North Dakota company into a global leader, including Cyril and Louis Keller (inventors of the first loader), Sylvan Melroe (the company’s first advertising manager), Eugene Dahl (brother-in-law to the four Melroe brothers and a former company executive), past presidents and management team members, former demonstrators and engineers, and other retirees. Many of these accounts are in print for the very first time.
“We are thrilled that these stories have finally been captured in print for the world to enjoy,” Anderson said. “There are many unsung heroes who are being recognized for their part in our success, and we are pleased to be able to include their stories in this book.”
Complete chapter listing:
- Chapter One: “Born on the Farm”
- Chapter Two: “Bobcat Comes of Age”
- Chapter Three: “Invention and Innovation (1969 – 1983)”
- Chapter Four: “Let the Games Begin”
- Chapter Five: “Leader of the Pack”
- Chapter Six (special edition only): “Marketing History”
- Chapter Seven (special edition only): “Reflections (from Bobcat retirees)”
- Chapter Eight (special edition only): “Bobcat Lore”
- Chapter Nine (special edition only): “Dealer Channel”
- Chapter 10 (special edition only): “Sales Meetings”
- Chapter 11 (special edition only): “Oh, the Places We’ve Been”
Nearly 50 years ago, Bobcat introduced a compact front-end loader that became the world’s first skid-steer loader, later adopting the familiar “Bobcat” brand. Bobcat Company leads the world in the design, manufacture and distribution of compact equipment, with more than 4,000 employees in plants and offices around the globe.
