Bobcat shutting down Bismarck plant, moving jobs east

A leading manufacturer of skid steer loaders and other construction equipment is closing one of its North Dakota plants.

Bobcat will shut down its Bismarck manufacturing plant, eliminating 475 jobs. The company says 390 jobs will be moved to its plant in Gwinner, N.D., near Fargo.

Bobcat Americas President Rich Goldsbury says the move is due to a weak global economy and sluggish sales.

"Our customers are hurting as the construction industry in North America is at a standstill," he said. "Those customers who are building are not investing in new machinery. These factors directly impact Bobcat."

About 200 workers at the Gwinner plant who were laid off earlier this year will be called back to work.

Bobcat is based in West Fargo. It's owned by South Korea-based Doosan Infracore.

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