June 2016, Vol. 71 No. 6
Business
Bobcat, Doosan Continue Investing in Company Culture
Bobcat Company and its parent organization, Doosan, completed $12 million in renovations on its engineering and factory facilities in Gwinner, ND., earlier this year. Both projects are part of an ongoing investment to enhance work environments, accommodate growth, drive innovation and improve operations across the organization.
The Gwinner engineering facility underwent a slew of functional improvements in an effort to promote an increasingly collaborative work environment including the removal of individual offices to open up the floor plan and workstation areas; the addition interactive conference rooms and enclaves for group meetings both large and small, as well as more independent and private work; and the entire building is supported by advanced technology.
The new design approach taken with the engineering facility creates more chance encounters among employees who otherwise might not work together. Company officials believe chance encounters spark additional collaboration and greater innovation.
In addition, Bobcat and Doosan have added what they dub “vitality elements” aiming to promote a health-conscious and energetic atmosphere, which includes standing desks, treadmill work stations and an expanded break room for employee comfort.
At the Gwinner production facility, the north assembly and compact excavator production areas were expanded and redesigned to help improve factory flow and increase accessibility for employees. In addition, the facility now features renovated break rooms, increased restroom facilities and dedicated lockers for each shift employee.
Mechanical improvements were also made at the production facility including the addition of a shot blast system and an orange ColorMax booth to the paint line area. The shot blast system is used to prep the major weldments prior to painting, and the ColorMax booth will assist with the even spread of a weather-resistant, orange finish on the tailgates – a part of the Bobcat signature trade dress.
Over the course of three years, Bobcat and Doosan have added and improved locations across the country, reflecting an organizational commitment to continue investing in facilities, people and products. In 2014, Bobcat and Doosan opened the new Acceleration Center – a facility focused on engineering, R&D, training and product testing – in Bismarck, ND. The West Fargo, ND, headquarters is currently undergoing a $9.5 million expansion, slated for completion late summer 2016.
Laura Ness Owens, director of marketing, Bobcat Company and Doosan, said the companies are committed to creating environments that help attract and retain talented individuals focused on helping move the companies forward, across all types of facilities, from engineering to production.
“We believe what we are doing is cutting-edge for manufacturing companies in the U.S., and we are proud to be out in front as an industry leader,” Ness Owens said. 800-743-4340, www.bobcat.com.
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