Doosan moves global HQ to Charlotte, N.C.

South Korean-based Doosan Infracore International (www.diicorp.com) has moved into its new global headquarters in Charlotte, NC. The 28,272-square-foot location will house approximately 100 employees in the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of construction equipment.

Doosan Infracore International was established following the $4.9 billion acquisition by its parent company, Doosan Infracore, of Bobcat, Utility Equipment and Attachments from Ingersoll-Rand Company, Ltd.

Doosan said this is the largest overseas acquisition in South Korean history. Today, the three entities, Bobcat, Doosan Infracore Portable Power and DII Attachments, are operating as individual businesses of Doosan Infracore International.

"We were looking for a dynamic city with international appeal, a strong quality of life for our people and a talent pool that would continue to support the growth of our operations," Scott Nelson, chief executive officer of Doosan Infracore International said. "As the second-largest financial center in the U.S. and home to more than 700 foreign-owned firms along with the strength of a statewide university system, Charlotte emerged as the ideal choice for our global headquarters".

Doosan Infracore selected Charlotte after conducting a feasibility study comparing the city with other major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and New York. In selecting the site, Doosan Infracore was assisted by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and commercial real estate firms, Keystone Partners and Beacon Partners.

"Doosan Infracore is a leader in the global business market and has a strong history of supporting its host communities," Bob Morgan, president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce said. "We are proud to welcome such a prestigious enterprise to Charlotte and the surrounding areas and view this is an endorsement of the state as a whole."

Doosan Infracore late last year announced the purchase of a 475,000-square-foot facility in Statesville, where the company expects to employ more than 400 for Doosan Infracore Portable Power. Operations for Bobcat, the world's largest compact construction equipment business, will remain in West Fargo, ND.

With the completion of the acquisition, Doosan Infracore became one of the top seven global construction equipment manufacturers. Today, the company has a combined network of more than 3,500 dealers worldwide and 20 manufacturing plants in the US, Europe and China.