The world became a little darker a few months ago, as Textron Inc., the parent company of Arctic Cat, announced a host of markers that spelled the end for the snowmobile and side-by-side maker. Indeed, the portents of doom were all there, including layoffs, shake-ups, and production stoppages at the company's Thief River Falls facility.
But alas, the fate of Arctic Cat was not that of the heap of failed powersport companies. They would live to ride again, as a group of investors, led by one of the brand's former executives, saved the beloved company and reinvigorated the operation. Arctic Cat under Textron is dead, long live Arctic Cat under Argo!
And though that sounds like hyperbole, the brand is celebrating that fact, as not only is the company in the good hands of former Arctic Cat President and CEO, Brad Darling, as well as under the umbrella of the Argo corporation, but it's hired back a bunch of workers, and back producing powersport machines once again. At the Thief River Falls, AND at the St. Cloud engine plant, no less. And the brand is back focusing on the customer and their wants, which is definitely a good sign.
The Thief River Falls production plant actually resumed production a few weeks ago, with the first model to cross the assembly line for the consumer public to purchase being the Arctic Cat Wildcat XX side-by-side. That was followed up by resuming production on the Kitty Cat youth snowmobiles.
After the brand's saving, Arctic Cat released a host of new models, updates to existing product lines, and more that'll end up being produced this year with the aim of getting new models into folks' hands soon. That includes the company's legendary snowmobiles, one of which being the snowmobile I got my first taste of Midwest trails using.
According to Arctic Cat's Darling, "Arctic Cat is in the hands of believers. From day one I knew everyone involved was ready to roll up their sleeves and dig in. That proof continues to show itself every day. Now, in the past couple of weeks, we have not only released a new offroad lineup but also hit the start buXon on the production line. I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts put forth and everything we have been able to accomplish in the first 90 days."
Arctic Cat goes on to say that its plan of getting back on sound footing is "simple, it starts with understanding the mind of the rider." Seemingly, what that entails is utilizing the institutional knowledge at the brand, the folks who work and ride every single day, to build a company that's better than ever before, and less focused on the "boardroom down" making decisions for the company and its lineup.
I'm stoked the brand is back up and running, as far too many have left this world soon. Fingers crossed they pull this off.
