1. Home
  2. News & Media
  3. Press Releases
  4. Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory
Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory

Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory

Posted: 6 September 2023

Bobcat’s factory in Pontchâteau in France traces its history back to the early 20th century when Joseph Sambron transformed his school bench factory into a hub for farm machinery and bicycles. By 1920, the factory employed hundreds of workers and produced flour mills and cider presses. Following Joseph's retirement, his son Maurice ventured into mini-dumper production, selling over 50,000 units, and paving the way for the construction of the present-day Pontchâteau plant in 1963. The new facility specialized in off-road dumpers and forklifts.

Today, the factory is renowned for its production of telescopic handlers, which commenced in the early 1980s under the Sambron brand and was then acquired by the Fayat Group. Under the new ownership, Sambron became FDI Sambron and introduced hydrostatic telescopic handlers. In 2000, FDI Sambron was acquired by American corporation, Ingersoll-Rand, which also owned the Bobcat brand. Consequently, FDI Sambron transformed into Bobcat France. In 2007, Bobcat was acquired by the South Korean group, Doosan, and continues to operate as part of the Doosan Bobcat EMEA company.

Thirty thousand telehandlers made in France

In 2023, the French factory achieved an impressive milestone, when it manufactured its 111,000th machine. Out of this figure, around 30,000 of the machines have been telehandlers proudly carrying the Bobcat signature logo and typical white and orange colours.

“Our current telehandler line-up consists of 14 models in five platforms, with key markets in agriculture, construction and rental. Managing such a comprehensive portfolio is only possible thanks to our experienced engineering team, which is running all the European operations and contributing to global telehandler development activities. The majority of our production, over 80%, is targeted for export,” says Philippe Marescot, Pontchâteau factory manager at Doosan Bobcat EMEA. 

Substantial regional employer

Employment has seen significant growth alongside production, with the workforce more than doubling to 420 employees in the last 10 years. The Mayor of Pontchâteau, Danielle Cornet, recognizes the factory's significance as a major regional employer, with over 50% of employees residing within a 20 km radius, and offering diverse job opportunities ranging from manufacturing to executive roles, administration and Research & Development.

Catherine Perio, an accountant at Bobcat in Pontchâteau, embodies the company's positive work environment. With an impressive thirty-six years of service, she credits her long tenure to the company's continuous growth, which remains fulfilling even after four decades. The supportive and friendly staff have also played a significant role in her journey.

The future of the Pontchâteau factory

"Over the past decade, significant investments, amounting to approximately 30 million EUR, have been made in human resources, research and development and facility enhancements. These structural investments have strengthened the Pontchâteau factory’s capacity to meet market demands and maintain a growth trajectory aligned with market needs," Philippe Marescot concludes with a positive outlook.

READ MORE

View all
Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory
Bobcat Celebrates 60 years of Pontchâteau, France Factory

6 September 2023

Bobcat’s factory in Pontchâteau in France traces its history back to the early 20th century when Joseph Sambron transformed his school bench factory into a hub for farm machinery and bicycles.
Doosan Bobcat Appoints Gary Hornbacher as New EMEA President Doosan Bobcat Appoints Gary Hornbacher as New EMEA President
Doosan Bobcat Appoints Gary Hornbacher as New EMEA President

30 June 2023

Doosan Bobcat, a global leader in compact equipment, has announced the appointment of Gary Hornbacher as the company’s new President for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
Bobcat Launches New Line of Mowers for Professional Use Bobcat Launches New Line of Mowers for Professional Use
Bobcat Launches New Line of Mowers for Professional Use

27 June 2023

Bobcat has launched the first four models in the company’s new range of Mowers for the European market, as part of the Ground Maintenance Equipment (GME) portfolio introduced at the end of 2022.
New Bobcat products to be shown for first time at Plantworx New Bobcat products to be shown for first time at Plantworx
New Bobcat products to be shown for first time at Plantworx

31 May 2023

In both the Static and Demonstration areas of the Bobcat stand at the Plantworx 2023 Exhibition, the company will be presenting a host of new products for the first time at the show.
New Bobcat Super Compact Telehandler for Agriculture New Bobcat Super Compact Telehandler for Agriculture
New Bobcat Super Compact Telehandler for Agriculture

19 April 2023

Bobcat has launched the new TL25.60 AGRI Super Compact telehandler.
New Bobcat Machine IQ Telematics System for Customers New Bobcat Machine IQ Telematics System for Customers
New Bobcat Machine IQ Telematics System for Customers

11 April 2023

Bobcat has launched the company’s new Machine IQ telematics system, connecting customers to their machines’ information at any time, anywhere and from any device.
Bobcat Unveils World’s First All-Electric Skid-Steer Loader and New, All-Electric and Autonomous Concept Machine at CONEXPO Bobcat Unveils World’s First All-Electric Skid-Steer Loader
Bobcat Unveils World’s First All-Electric Skid-Steer Loader and New, All-Electric and Autonomous Concept Machine at CONEXPO

15 March 2023

Bobcat has taken innovation to the next level with the introduction of two, new concept machines unveiled during the first day of CONEXPO 2023.
Doosan Bobcat Announces Global Brand Strategy: Forklift & Portable Power Transition to Bobcat Brand Forklift & Portable Power Transition to Bobcat Brand
Doosan Bobcat Announces Global Brand Strategy: Forklift & Portable Power Transition to Bobcat Brand

9 March 2023

Doosan Bobcat, a company within Doosan Group, a leading global compact equipment, has announced its global branding strategy to create business and growth opportunities for the Doosan Bobcat product portfolio.
Bobcat Introduces New Compact Tractor Line-up Bobcat Introduces New Compact Tractor Line-up
Bobcat Introduces New Compact Tractor Line-up

2 February 2023

A new line of Bobcat Compact Tractors has been launched for the Europe region.* Bobcat Compact Tractors are part of the ground maintenance equipment (GME) range announced by the company last October.
Compact Loader Creators Inducted into the United States’ National Inventors Hall of Fame Compact Loader Creators Inducted into the United States’ National Inventors Hall of Fame
Compact Loader Creators Inducted into the United States’ National Inventors Hall of Fame

26 January 2023

Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader), have been selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in the USA.
View all