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Brand Timeline
Bobcat Branding & Trade Dress
The Bobcat brand is known worldwide, initially for the skid-steer loader that started to carry the Bobcat name in 1962. Today, there are countless other types of compact equipment that carry the Bobcat brand. See how the brand and product trade dress have changed over 60 years.
1947 to 2000
7
1947
The oval Melroe logo is used on products starting with the founding of Melroe Manufacturing Company.
1958
Melroe logo is used on the M60 and M200 Melroe self-propelled loaders, as well as on the Melroe agricultural products.
1960
M400 sports a decal featuring both the Melroe oval and the Farmhand brand. For a few years, the Melroe brothers utilized the Farmhand dealers to broaden its Midwest distribution network.
1962
Meet the “Melroe Bobcat.” After a complete redesign of the original Melroe loader, it is reintroduced as the M440 Melroe Bobcat skid-steer loader, with its white paint and red trim color. The logo won’t change again until 1977.
1972
Clark logo is added to Bobcat machines to reflect the company affiliation with parent Clark Equipment Company.
1977
A new Bobcat logo is created to accompany the “New Breed” 30 Series loaders. The logotype is made with a popular font in that era, Bauhaus Bold. The stylized cathead symbol has been unchanged ever since.
1996
New owner Ingersoll Rand adds the words, “Ingersoll Rand” to the tailgate.
2000 to Present
6
2000
An updated version of the Bobcat logo is created when corporate parent Ingersoll Rand updates its identity system. The 23-year-old cathead symbol remains, but the logotype uses the font family Impact Bold Condensed.
In Ingersoll-Rand’s attempt to tie together its various sub-brands under a new IR symbol, designers create an “IR Bobcat” logo. Used on the loader tailgate and elsewhere, the design is dropped after just a couple of years in favor of the Bobcat logo, which has a stronger brand identity.
2001
To mark the production of the 500,000th Bobcat loader, a special gold version of the logo is created.
2008
Celebrating the 750,000th Bobcat loader, two special edition loaders are built with commemorative branding.
2014
The Millionth Bobcat loader sports this special edition decal and customization.
2016
M2-Series loaders now have new, larger model decals for improved readability. Larger decals can more easily be seen from a distance to help identify model numbers, which can be useful on large jobsites or areas where multiple loaders are working.
2017
The all-new, next-generation R-Series E32 and E35 excavators are introduced. The R-Series excavators in the popular 3- to 4- ton size class feature a bold, distinct design, performance and comfort enhancements.
Explore More About Bobcat's History
Corporate Timeline
See how the company grew, how product lines came and went, and the results of three ownership changes. Watch film clips that show how the products were marketed.
Product Timeline
Follow the development of the three major product groups: skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and compact excavators. Timelines cover major model launches and the innovations tied to each.
Branding and Trade Dress Timeline
While the Bobcat brand hasn’t changed since its introduction in 1962, trade dress -- what appears on the product -- has changed dramatically.