Without a doubt, times have been tough for Arctic Cat over the past year or longer. But is there a ray of sunshine starting to peek out from behind the clouds?
At the end of April, an investment group led by former Arctic Cat exec Brad Darling purchased the storied Minnesota powersports brand, effectively rescuing it from the troubled path it was currently traveling. Just a short time later, the brand announced an ambitious 2026 snowmobile lineup.
But who would build those snowmobiles, after two separate rounds of employee layoffs conducted under the previous Textron ownership?
That's where today's news comes into play, because Arctic Cat is apparently bringing back over 300 of its previous employees.
In an announcement published by local news outlet the Grand Forks Herald, new Arctic Cat CEO Brad Darling said, "Once we got the keys, we knew moving fast was our only option. Having the ability to release a lineup of snowmobiles that offers new models and significant updates was the first step. Next, we are able to re-engage the majority of our workforce of just under 500 employees, providing stability to our extended family."
Employees at the St. Cloud engine facility will also be restored, in a move that the paper understandably described as a "huge sigh of relief." I mean, if that's not relatable, especially in these uncertain times we're living through, what is?
For its part, another local paper called the Thief River Falls Times had a headline that was even more to the point. It reads, very simply, Arctic Cat Restores Jobs.
Incidentally, while the snowmobiles were the first vehicles to be announced as the newly reformed company attempts to hit its stride once more, plans for ATVs and side-by-sides later in the year are also in the works. Here's hoping they can pull this comeback off; it's the kind of underdog story that everyone loves to cheer for.
