IS THIS GOOD OR BAD FOR KIOTI

[wallace]

Bobcat to Enter Compact Utility Tractor — July 31, 2007

In a move intended to expand its No. 1 market position in compact equipment, Bobcat Company announced today that it has signed a long-term strategic agreement with a highly respected Korean manufacturer, Daedong Industrial Co. Ltd., to produce a line of Bobcat-branded compact utility tractors.

“This alliance brings together the strengths of two respected and recognized companies,” said David Rowles, president of Bobcat Americas. “By combining the Bobcat global brand, dealer network and service with Daedong’s commitment to compact tractor design and technology, we can provide our customers with the quality compact equipment experience they’ve come to expect from Bobcat. We plan to start offering compact utility tractors to customers later this year.”

“Daedong is very pleased to have entered into this agreement with Bobcat Company,” said Jun-Sik Kim, president of Daedong. “We, as a company, look forward to building on our strengths by providing Bobcat customers with quality, affordable tractors with marketplace staying power through this alliance.” Daedong has produced compact equipment products for the past 60 years.

“This compact utility tractor line will complement our current Bobcat compact equipment lineup, which includes skid-steer, compact track, all-wheel steer and mini track loaders, compact excavators, telescopic tool carriers, utility vehicles, utility work machines and job-matched attachments,” said Bruce Collins, vice president of attachments and vehicles for Bobcat Company.

“The quality of the Daedong product line is well recognized by customers as world-class,” said Seong-Ki Kim, chief of the international business division for Daedong. “Bobcat and Daedong will achieve high synergy in this business collaboration.”

In evaluating this market, Bobcat did extensive voice-of-customer and voice-of-dealer work to validate specific compact utility tractor features. The Bobcat project team worked with a team from Daedong to create a compact utility tractor that meets Bobcat-brand expectations.

Nearly 50 years ago, Bobcat introduced a compact front-end loader that became the world’s first skid-steer loader, later adopting the familiar “Bobcat” brand. Bobcat Company leads the world in the design, manufacture and distribution of compact equipment, with more than 4,000 employees in plants and offices around the globe.

— end —Media Center Bobcat Media Center
Press Releases
Trademark Information
Image Library
Compact Utility Market Release
Contact Us Questions Privacy Policy Terms of Use / Legal Notice International © Bobcat Company 1997-2007

[Steve_Miller]

I'd say it should be a good thing, more publicity and advertising for the Daedong Company which is already well established in other parts of the world. Should only get stronger here in N.A. with a good dealer network.

Steve

[TBDonnelly]

This was posted in the Toolcat Forum yesterday.....

"South Korea's Doosan Infracore Co. last night (7/29/2007) said it agreed to acquire the Bobcat construction-vehicle business from Ingersoll-Rand Co. for $4.9 billion, marking one of the largest foreign purchases by a Korean company."

Don

[gamble77]

So now Bobcat is owned by Doosan and will outsource tractors from Daedong...looks like Bobcat became a South Korean company almost over night if I am reading things correctly...not that that is a bad thing just a very sudden change!

It will be interesting to see how this alliance between Bobcat and Daedong works. One of the main perks to the Kioti line was that nobody else had their tractors. LG machines are sold by four or five different companies (most recently McCormick), TYM also, and now Kioti/Daedong. Should be interesting to see how things shake up...I think the market has reached its breaking point with all these different companies, some will fail and soon I believe.

[4sarge]

Originally Posted by wallace

Bobcat to Enter Compact Utility Tractor — July 31, 2007

In a move intended to expand its No. 1 market position in compact equipment, Bobcat Company announced today that it has signed a long-term strategic agreement with a highly respected Korean manufacturer, Daedong Industrial Co. Ltd., to produce a line of Bobcat-branded compact utility tractors.

“This alliance brings together the strengths of two respected and recognized companies,” said David Rowles, president of Bobcat Americas. “By combining the Bobcat global brand, dealer network and service with Daedong’s commitment to compact tractor design and technology, we can provide our customers with the quality compact equipment experience they’ve come to expect from Bobcat. We plan to start offering compact utility tractors to customers later this year.”

“Daedong is very pleased to have entered into this agreement with Bobcat Company,” said Jun-Sik Kim, president of Daedong. “We, as a company, look forward to building on our strengths by providing Bobcat customers with quality, affordable tractors with marketplace staying power through this alliance.” Daedong has produced compact equipment products for the past 60 years.

“This compact utility tractor line will complement our current Bobcat compact equipment lineup, which includes skid-steer, compact track, all-wheel steer and mini track loaders, compact excavators, telescopic tool carriers, utility vehicles, utility work machines and job-matched attachments,” said Bruce Collins, vice president of attachments and vehicles for Bobcat Company.

“The quality of the Daedong product line is well recognized by customers as world-class,” said Seong-Ki Kim, chief of the international business division for Daedong. “Bobcat and Daedong will achieve high synergy in this business collaboration.”

In evaluating this market, Bobcat did extensive voice-of-customer and voice-of-dealer work to validate specific compact utility tractor features. The Bobcat project team worked with a team from Daedong to create a compact utility tractor that meets Bobcat-brand expectations.

Nearly 50 years ago, Bobcat introduced a compact front-end loader that became the world’s first skid-steer loader, later adopting the familiar “Bobcat” brand. Bobcat Company leads the world in the design, manufacture and distribution of compact equipment, with more than 4,000 employees in plants and offices around the globe.

— end —Media Center Bobcat Media Center
Press Releases
Trademark Information
Image Library
Compact Utility Market Release
Contact Us Questions Privacy Policy Terms of Use / Legal Notice International © Bobcat Company 1997-2007

What are your thoughts? Will this strengthen Kioti thru increased sales or is this possibly a brand killer? I would think that the BobCat name badge will sell equipment in much higher volume than Kioti. I welcome the advantages that it may offer to Kioti owners but I also fear that the outcome may end the Kioti production/sale in the US in favor of the BobCat. Much like Chrysler dumped Plymouth or GM, Oldsmobile. If these tractors are merely re-badged Kioti's and parts are parts then shouldn't be a real problem. How does this effect present Kioti dealers. Are you now selling BobCat's or are they competition. Seems like there are lots of unanswered questions. Keep us posted.

[EquipmentJunkie]

This is a big boost to Kioti...in sales volume, public profile, and trade-in value. Current Kioti owners should be clicking their heels with glee.

My guess is that Kioti and Bobcat tractor differences will be significant. It will not be GMC pickup vs. Chevy pickup type of thing. I expect that Bobcat tractors will be much different in appearance.

Big loser in this deal...Kubota, in my opinion.

[Highbeam]

I know that some Bobcat equipment has been made with Kubota engines. Does Bobcat make their own engines? Is this just a swap of Kubota for Kioti?

I would hate to see the Kioti name go away. We will go into a Bobcat dealer and ask for filter but have to cross reference it to a Bobcat filter. Hopefully the orange Kiotis are a different product line than the Bobcats despite a joined company.

[IslandTractor]

Not sure what this means for Kioti/Bobcat but I'm pretty sure there is nervous talk around the watercooler at Kubota dealerships today.

[broncosfan]

True, nervous talk around the watercooler at the other dealers. First Cub/Yanmar is coming now Bobcat. The CUT market is sure a hot one.

[kevanos]

The Mahindra's that use Daedong engines are built by TYM. The ones with Mitsubishi engines are by Mitsubishi.

LS/LG/Montana uses some Daedong engines, as does TYM under their own brand.

Cub Cadet had some tractors that used Daedong engines. Did Daedong build the tractors?

This should liven up the CUT wars....