Do you know what talk about polaris and bobcat alliance?

Polaris Industries Inc., Bobcat Company Announce Long-Term Strategic Alliance - Technology Sharing, Co-Development and Supply of Highly-Differentiated Work Vehicles
Minneapolis, MN (3/2/2009) - Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) and Bobcat Company today announced a long-term strategic alliance that will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to penetrate work-related market segments globally. The alliance will include technology sharing, co-development and supply of highly-differentiated work vehicles with a planned launch by the second half of 2010.

"We are excited to enter this alliance with Bobcat, a respected leader in the work vehicle industry" said Scott Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries. "This alliance is consistent with our stated strategy of diversifying Polaris beyond our core powersports segments and will enhance our efforts to accelerate the growth of our military and international businesses," continued Wine. "Initially, Polaris will produce and sell highly-differentiated work vehicles to Bobcat for sale through the
Bobcat dealer network. The breadth and depth of our cooperative efforts will expand thereafter to include co-developed vehicles for both Polaris and Bobcat, and further technology sharing.

"We are thrilled about the long-term implications of this alliance." said Richard Goldsbury, President Bobcat Americas. "Bobcat's and Polaris' long tradition of innovation, product passion and similar cultures complement each other very well. We are combining the strengths of the No. 1 compact construction equipment manufacturer with those of the No. 1 off-road vehicle manufacturer to deliver innovative product solutions for our customers. This alliance will enable both companies to extend our customer bases and provide profitable growth."

Both Wine and Goldsbury stated, "Working together, we will strive to generate increased revenue and profits for Polaris, Bobcat and our dealer networks. With this alliance, Polaris and Bobcat will be well positioned for incremental revenue growth in 2010 and beyond."

 

Should be interesting to see what kind of products they come up with. Can you say, "skidsteer quad"?

 

sweet.. best of both worlds..

 

Its been in the works for a while, one of my best freinds work as a sr engineer for bobcat. My brother in law worked for polaris as a internship while at NDSU. Some interesting products are on there way. The ranger will see the first benefit.

 

You would be surprised at what all Polaris has been into in the past.I recommend reading the book on Polaris .

 

Kinda reminds me of our Polaris UTV days a few years back!! WE had a little bobcat type loader with a CAT motor if I remember correctly! Only sold ONE! UTV's didnt last long! Just yellow colored atvs and ranger TM types! Maybe they have learned since then!

 

You know I always needed a dump bucket for my ATV, maybe this will push the envelope, LOL..LOL

I am glad to hear of such partnerships and vision. That is what America from the grass roots level is
all about Vs. sending off these sorts of things offshore.

Regards,

R'

 

We will end up with "The All-New Argo Avenger 8x8 "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...jUZe78&feature=related

 

Bobcat, Polaris announce alliance
By JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press Writer
North Dakota-based Bobcat Co., known for its skid-steer loaders, is forming an alliance with snowmobile-maker Polaris Industries Inc., in a move both companies hope will add customers and boost profits as they battle an economic slump.

Polaris CEO Scott Wine said his company will make work vehicles and sell them to Bobcat, for sale through Bobcat's dealer network. Later, the two companies will develop other vehicles and share technology, he said.

Polaris spokeswoman Marlys Knutson said the initial wave of vehicles will be made at the company's plant in Spirit Lake, Iowa, beginning next year.

They will be sold as Bobcats but will be "highly different than what we are selling at Polaris now," Knutson said.

Polaris, based in Medina, Minn., makes all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and motorcycles. Bobcat, based in West Fargo, makes compact construction equipment.

Knutson and Bobcat spokesman Christopher Weishaar said the deal does not involve a sale or ownership change.

"It's just an alliance," Knutson said. "This is the first alliance of this type that we've had with another company."

Both companies have struggled in the global economic downturn.

Polaris announced in January that it was eliminating 160 full-time jobs and about 300 contractors in several plants due to weakening demand. It said its 2009 sales could drop as much as 20 percent from last year.

Bobcat announced last week that slack demand for construction equipment will force a production shutdown for part of this month at its plants in Gwinner and Bismarck. The company employs about 2,000 people at the two plants.

Workers at the two plants returned to their jobs Feb. 16, after an eight-week layoff that started in mid-December. Company officials said the layoff was aimed at giving dealers a chance to move inventory to clear the way for more machines.

South Korea's Doosan Infracore Co. purchased Bobcat in 2007 from Bermuda-based Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd., in a deal worth $4.9 billion.