FARGO, N.D. (October 2019) – Doosan Bobcat (Bobcat), a global leader in the compact equipment industry, today announced the opening of The Studio, a data innovation center located in Fargo, North Dakota. The Studio will advance development through digitalization and new technologies by bringing members of the company’s research and development teams together with academic centers, entrepreneurs and emerging companies to advance community innovation and foster hands-on collaboration in a high-tech environment.
In addition, Bobcat is partnering with Emerging Prairie, a local nonprofit organization focused on accelerating entrepreneurship in North Dakota, to bring area business leaders and innovators together to exchange ideas and share best practices through future technology events and programming held at the Bobcat Studio.
“We are the industry leader and want to continue building on this proud legacy, so we are committed to digital innovation and accelerating Bobcat’s spirit of collaboration,” said Doosan Bobcat CEO Scott Park. “As we work to deliver new insights and solutions to the marketplace, there is no limit to the technological advances expected to occur at The Studio.”
The 11,000-square-foot Studio is located on two, adjoining floors of the historic and iconic Black Building, at 118 Broadway in downtown Fargo. The facility features an open concept design with high-tech project team rooms, lounge areas, meeting rooms, standing desks and a pitch room with sliding, curved walls and a high-resolution large screen for presentations and video to collaborate with outside partners. The ceilings are open with exposed vintage brick walls, giving the space a modern industrial feel. The project’s design and construction team include Shultz + Associates Architects and the Kilbourne Group.
“Innovation is at the core of what Bobcat has stood for in its 60-year history,” said Doosan Bobcat North America President Mike Ballweber. “Our customers count on us to enhance their productivity. From this space, our work, along with collaboration with industry and higher education partners and researchers, will help us deliver next-generation products, services and solutions.”
The Studio will initially house members of Bobcat’s Fargo-based engineering, innovation, marketing, IT, telematics, and digital experience project teams. The number of team members working in the facility will fluctuate throughout the year depending on the projects being pursued and explored.
In partnership with Emerging Prairie, Bobcat will soon announce and host a series of peer group sessions with key area business leaders who have an interest in integrating and advancing technology and data into their businesses. In addition, Bobcat and Emerging Prairie will team up to launch an innovation-themed challenge event, which will pair businesses with students and community members. These teams will then present their technology-driven, business advancement ideas in a startup-style, pitch competition.
“The Studio presents a unique opportunity where innovation thrives,” said Doosan Bobcat Vice President of Innovation Joel Honeyman. “We are excited to bring individuals and students from our community into an environment that fosters creative thinking and encourages collaboration between businesses and industries for a brighter tomorrow.”
At the official grand opening event held today, CEO Scott Park, President Mike Ballweber, Vice President of Global Innovation Joel Honeyman and Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney provided remarks. They were joined by college and university leaders, Bobcat employees and area business and community members who are leading innovation efforts in the Fargo-West Fargo-Moorhead community to commemorate the opening of the Studio with a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony performed with the use of collaborative robots (cobots).
“This new facility symbolizes Bobcat’s dedication to advancing innovation in our business and industry,” Honeyman added. “Today, we take this step with our community’s entrepreneurs and technology leaders as partners.”
