Bobcat Highlights Equipment Theft Risks, Promotes Machine IQ as Theft Prevention Tool

As part of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, Bobcat Company is raising awareness about the growing threat of equipment theft in the construction industry and highlighting digital tools to help contractors protect their assets.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) observes the month of July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month to encourage equipment owners and operators to take proactive security measures. According to the American Rental Association, equipment theft costs the rental industry approximately $100 million annually. Neuroject estimates that the broader construction industry in North America loses between $300 million and $1 billion per year due to equipment theft.

“The frequency of equipment theft has created new challenges on the job site,” said Garrett Maurer, director of digital product management at Bobcat. “The good news is that operators and construction business owners can do something about it. With Bobcat Machine IQ and similar telematics software, operators can track their machines’ current location and history, enact geofencing with custom parameters and establish machine curfews. These are great ways to reduce instances of equipment theft and be in the know about your machines anytime, anywhere.”

Machine IQ, Bobcat’s telematics platform, also includes a Remote Engine Disable/Enable feature. This allows users to remotely disable a machine’s engine through the Bobcat Owner Portal or mobile app if unauthorized use is suspected, adding an extra layer of security.

In the event of theft, Bobcat advises users to confirm the machine’s GPS location, disable the engine remotely and report the incident to law enforcement. Operators should also contact their dealer and insurance provider with relevant machine data and documentation.

With equipment theft representing one of the most significant financial risks to contractors, Bobcat encourages the industry to leverage emerging technologies as a critical component of jobsite security.