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A History of Bobcat®

As someone who works regularly with heavy equipment, you’ve undoubtedly come across the name Bobcat® before. This all-American company has been in the construction equipment business for decades, leading the way in the manufacture of rugged and updated equipment that you can rely on for every purpose.

Peak Machinery, with six locations in Washington, is proud to be your local Bobcat® equipment dealer. We’ve provided a brief company history below so that you can learn more about the manufacturer behind some of your favorite heavy equipment products.

Company Beginnings

Founder E.G. Melroe began his Melroe Manufacturing Company in Gwinner, North Dakota, in 1947. He had previously invented the harroweeder and the Melroe pickup, and so began an operation to manufacture equipment. Following his death in 1955, his sons continued the business, and they met inventors Louis and Cyril Keller in 1958. 

The Keller brothers had repaired farm equipment for years until a customer complained to them about the difficulties he had in cleaning the second floor of his barn. To assist this client, the Kellers constructed a front-end loader with two drive wheels and a rear caster wheel, which was a smash hit when they entered it in the Minnesota State Fair.

The very first Bobcat® loader was the M440, released in 1962. The machines that followed were christened similarly, with names like Mini-Bob. After many years, the company name was finally changed from Melroe to Bobcat Company in 2000. Bobcat® equipment includes excavators, loaders and attachments for both, along with utility vehicles, telehandlers and                                                                                   load backhoes, among many other designs. As a result, Bobcat is one of the leading construction equipment manufacturers in the United States.

“One Tough Animal”

Bobcat’s tagline is “One Tough Animal,” in reference to the ruggedness and power of their machinery. The company constructs versatile and agile machines that are capable of handling the heaviest and most challenging work. Bobcat machines are high performing to ensure that every customer is able to get their work done efficiently, and customer satisfaction is a point of pride for the company. Bobcat has never ceased in its determination to innovate and update their heavy equipment so that they can greet the construction challenges of the 21st century with open arms.

Bobcat has a long history of manufacturing high-quality construction equipment for a variety of applications. If you’re ready to choose a machine for your work, visit one of our six Washington State dealership locations today to take a look at our full stock of new and used Bobcat equipment for sale.