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June 2009

Bobcat Company Facility Awarded ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Registration

Bobcat Company’s manufacturing facility in Bismarck, N.D., has received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification by British Standards Institution (BSI) in recognition of the facility’s commitment to environmentally-friendly operation and a safe and healthy work setting.

“This registration shows that Bobcat is not only looking to lessen our impact on the environment in the future; we’re doing so today.”
--Darrel Hellman, environmental, safety and health manager for Bobcat at Bismarck

ISO 14001, an internationally recognized standard for environmental systems, enables organizations to measure the impact on the environment from its activities, services, products and people. OHSAS 18001 is an internationally recognized occupational health and safety management system that efficiently enables organizations to proactively take preventive measures in the workplace to mitigate work related hazards and risk.

“We are delighted to partner with a pacesetting organization such as Bobcat. This dual system certification uniquely positions them for continual improvements of their environmental and health and safety performance,” said Wil Wang, product manager for the sustainability portfolio at BSI.

The Bismarck facility’s environmental management effort encompassed implementing a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets and demonstrating continuous improvements in environmental performance by controlling its impact on manufacturing processes.

“We’re committed to being good environmental stewards,” said Darrel Hellman, environmental, safety and health manager for Bobcat at Bismarck. “This registration shows that Bobcat is not only looking to lessen our impact on the environment in the future; we’re doing so today.”

To obtain OHSAS 18001 registration, Bobcat created an occupational health and safety management system that controls risks and improves performance, and demonstrated the system is working. A unique feature of OHSAS 18001 is that it places a greater emphasis on health, rather than just safety, and can be closely aligned with ISO 14001, recognizing that a lighter impact on the environment goes hand-in-hand with a healthier work atmosphere.

“A healthier and safer work environment is going to be more productive, and will have a positive impact on the products we manufacture here for our customers,” said Hellman.

The Bismarck facility is the only location in the United States that manufactures excavators. Bobcat-exclusive Toolcat™ utility work machines are also manufactured at the Bismarck plant.

Previously, the Bobcat facility in Gwinner, N.D., where loaders are manufactured, received ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 registration from BSI. Bobcat is currently in the process of obtaining these certificates for its manufacturing plant in Litchfield, Minn.

About BSI:
BSI is a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to over 80,000 customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, BSI has over 2,400 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. BSI’s key offerings are:
• The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information that promote and share best practice.
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification in all critical areas of management disciplines.
• Product testing and certification of services and products including Kitemark®, one of the one of the world’s most recognized quality symbols.
• Certification of high-risk, complex medical devices.