Bobcat Company has officially broken ground on its $20
million renovation and expansion to create the Acceleration
Center in Bismarck, ND.
When complete, the Acceleration
Center will be a modern
complex for advancing innovation where professionals utilize technology and
modern design to ensure the position of Bobcat as the leader in the compact
equipment industry.
The project includes expansion of an existing building as
well as development of a new test track and indoor testing facility-all at the
Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck.
The expansion of the existing building will include a two-story office building
and provide a total of 160,000 square feet of modern workspace. Additionally,
a 35,000-square-foot indoor testing arena will be constructed next to a
22-acre outdoor testing and track area. Construction is expected to be complete
by summer 2014.
The Acceleration
Center will initially
house 135 employees tasked with innovating and advancing designs; testing;
prototype engineering; and the computer simulation of ideas and concepts. These
efforts will be accelerated thanks to the collaborative open environment and
modern technology built into the facility.
Company President Rich Goldsbury was the master of
ceremonies for the groundbreaking event, while North Dakota Governor Jack
Dalrymple, U.S.
Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer, and
Bismarck Mayor John Warford were on hand to make the ceremonial turn of dirt,
which included the use of Bobcat equipment to mark the moment.
"This is an exciting day as we invest in the future of
Bobcat and the future of North Dakota,"
Goldsbury said. "We created the compact equipment industry and the Acceleration Center will ensure the Bobcat tradition
of innovation and market leadership continues."
The Acceleration
Center will also serve as
a center for excellence and a learning institute for employees. The facility features
an open space and high-tech design to encourage collaboration and discussion.
Bobcat dealers and customers will be brought to the complex for training and
hands-on experience operating the newest innovations from Bobcat.
"The newest designs, the latest technologies and the best
ways to apply product features important to our customers will be part of the
daily life inside the Acceleration
Center," Goldsbury added.
"We take great pride in our North Dakota
roots. Today, we have set the foundation for the future in North Dakota."
The contractor for the project is Comstock Construction Inc.
of Wahpeton. When complete, the entire project-including the original building
built in 2005-will mark a $35 million investment by Bobcat in the Northern
Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck.
