Doosan aim for global top spot in compact equipment
New Innovation Centre opens at Doosan Campus in Dobris in the Czech Republic
DOOSAN Infracore Bobcat Holding (DIBH) have opened a new Innovation Centre in the Czech Republic. The new centre, which is part of the Doosan Campus at Dobris, will integrate research and development with manufacturing, sourcing and training on the same site, in a move that Doosan believe will help the company become world number one in the compact equipment market.
The opening ceremony for the Innovation Centre was hosted by Jose Cuadrado, vice-president for compact equipment in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who welcomed Scott Park, president and CEO of Doosan Infracore Bobcat Holdings (DIBH), and Martin Knoetgen, president of DIBH’s business in EMEA. The event was also attended by the Korean Ambassador for the Czech Republic, His Excellency Ambassador Hayong Moon.
Speaking at the opening, Mr Cuadrado said: ‘By integrating every part of our operations and product development on one site from engineering and design, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, aftermarket and distribution to training for our EMEA dealers and customers, the Doosan Campus will bring enormous benefits in every part of our business.’
Scott Park commented: ‘As one of the world’s largest construction equipment developers and manufacturers, we are committed to achieving technological leadership by heavily investing in R&D globally. The new Dobris Innovation Centre is part of our global network of R&D centres. It was built in parallel with new R&D centres in Incheon, in Korea, and the Acceleration Centre at Bismarck in the US, involving over US$100 million of total investment.’
Martin Knoetgen added: ‘We are developing the Dobris Innovation Centre as a European Engineering Centre of Excellence which will serve as an expert R&D centre for all Doosan engineering teams across Europe and take responsibility for small loaders and compact excavators from 1–3 tonnes.’
The new Innovation Centre comprises more than 8,000 square metres of floor space for prototyping and testing, as well as 1,400 square metres of office area.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, RealMachinery Oy, based in Lempäälä, Finland, have expanded with the purchase of Dae-Tek Oy, authorized dealers for the Doosan Heavy and Bobcat product ranges in Finland.
RealMachinery, the largest earthmoving machinery rental company in the country, will retain the Dae-Tek brand, a long-established and successful dealership for both the Doosan and Bobcat ranges with offices in Kerava, Turku and Kuopio.
