Doosan Bobcat execs break ground on $70M manufacturing campus in North Carolina

Doosan Bobcat executives break ground on the $70 million addition to the company’s manufacturing campus in Statesville, N.C.

Doosan Bobcat North America executives broke ground for the start of construction for a new $70 million, 600,000-square-foot manufacturing addition to the current office and complex in Statesville, N.C., which will double the facility’s footprint to approximately 1.2 million square feet and add 62 acres to the current 92-acre campus.

“This is an exciting day for Doosan Bobcat and our team in North Carolina,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. “As the demand for our products continues to grow, this investment not only increases production capacity and enhances our network of manufacturing operations throughout North America, but it also positions us to support our growing business now and well into the future.”

The Statesville location will become the company’s largest manufacturing campus worldwide.

Earlier this year, the manufacturer completed the remodel and expansion of its North American headquarters, which was recognized for its sustainability benefits by the U.S. Green Building Council, in Fargo, N.D.

For the Statesville groundbreaking, Doosan Bobcat North America executives were joined by North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, Iredell County Commission Chairman James Mallory and Statesville Mayor Cossi Kutteh for the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This is a proud moment for the state of North Carolina,” Dobson said. “Today’s groundbreaking and the company’s continued investments in North Carolina is a testament to our state’s positive business climate and talented workforce. We thank Doosan Bobcat for their commitment to our state and for providing a safe and healthy workplace and promising career opportunities to North Carolinians.”

With the construction addition, the manufacturer will add more employment opportunities, economic growth and community involvement to Iredell County and the surrounding area.

At the groundbreaking, Mayor Kutteh praised the Doosan Bobcat workforce and the company’s partnership with the community through charitable initiatives and educational support over the years.

“This day demonstrates Doosan Bobcat is putting down even deeper roots in Statesville,” Kutteh said. “We are very proud of what has been accomplished through the years and what is beginning here today. Doosan Bobcat has been a strong partner, and we appreciate their believing in Statesville, providing hundreds of jobs to our community and continuing to invest in our residents and future.”

The Statesville operation’s current team of 400 full-time employees will grow substantially through this project, which will result in the creation of 42 new jobs in the first two years and up to 250 new jobs in five years – which means the facility will total 650 employees at full capacity.

Doosan Bobcat said it has been active in providing leadership and support for vocational and workforce development programs to support manufacturing, engineering and technology education.

“Since locating in Statesville, Doosan Bobcat has set the gold standard for workforce development programs through proactive engagement with students, parents, teachers and local government,” Mallory said. “Recognizing people as their greatest resource, they set an example of providing great career opportunities for Iredell County citizens. We look forward to continuing to partner together with Doosan Bobcat in our joint quest to provide the very best community to live, work and raise a family.”

Lance Mathern praised the work and commitment of Statesville employees, the project team and the ongoing support of state and local officials.

“It has been quite the journey to get us where we are right now, and I am really proud of the work of this team and the support of our partners, officials and the community,” said Doosan Portable Power Global Vice President Lance Mathern. “We will look back at this day and know we were here when the ground was broken, which led to new opportunities and ready for what the future brings.”

The construction design team includes Shultz + Associates Architects and Omega Construction as the construction manager. According to Doosan Bobcat, the project is slated for completion fall 2022.

Within the new, connected addition, the expansion will add space for manufacturing and warehousing; research and development; automated paint line; parts control and storage; shipping and receiving docks; open-air space for product testing and quality control; additional parking; shipping and delivery entrance; and finished goods inventory storage.

Doosan Bobcat has operated out of Statesville since 2008, and the announcement comes on the heels of an earlier $11 million facility upgrade at Statesville, which was completed January 2021.