Awards & Recognition

Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader (later named the Bobcat® skid-steer loader), were selected as inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF). The NIHF annually recognizes inventors, promotes creativity and advances the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Members of company founder E.G. Melroe’s family were named to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions to the development of the Bobcat® skid-steer loader and the compact equipment industry. The Hall of Fame recognizes, celebrates and preserves the history of outstanding leaders in the off-road equipment industry.

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History acquired Bobcat Company historical records for its Lemelson Archive Center. The collection includes advertising, films, videos, photography, product literature, newsletters, papers and speeches from the 1940s to 2008, detailing the company culture and a classic American success story of manufacturing, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) honored Bobcat with its Historic Landmark award for the invention and development of the skid-steer loader. The commemorative plaque hails the skid-steer loader for reducing the need for human labor and improving the speed and economy of projects in agricultural, construction, manufacturing, shipping and landscaping industries.