call it what you want, it is the way it is. and let me ask you this do we drive anything nowdays that isn't bastardized????

 

I contacted Polaris to note my displeasure in the move and here is an excerpt from their response, for what its worth,

"...This realignment will create three centers of excellence for manufacturing Polaris Products. We will invest significantly in our Roseau, Minn. and Spirit Lake, Iowa plants, and establish a new manufacturing facility in the Monterrey/Saltillo region of Mexico. Speed of delivery is a key competitive advantage; the Monterrey/Saltillo region of Mexico best meets our needs to be closer to our customers in the southern half of the United States and other emerging markets across the globe. By creating a manufacturing facility closer to a key customer base, we can lessen the impact of rising logistical costs, such as shipping and fuel. Our toughest competitors have moved to lower-cost markets and closer to customers and so must we to ensure the long-term strength and security of this company. But for the same reason that it makes sense to have a facility in Mexico, it also makes sense to keep a strong manufacturing presence in the Midwest, as North America remains our primary market.

As with any change, quality is of the utmost importance and we can assure you this move will be managed and executed so that Polaris maintains or enhances our ability to meet the quality, delivery and cost standards and expectations of our customers.When the realignment is complete, we will have capabilities to manufacture ATVs and Side-by-Side products in multiple locations while snowmobile assembly will remain in Roseau and Victory motorcycle assembly will remain in Spirit Lake. We will use all of the quality systems and tools currently practiced at our operations to ensure market-leading products...."

 

That entire email is pure BS.
The people in the south sell their machines cheaper than up here where they are made.

If you want the truth, there is way more opportunities to ride in the South compared to here. This Liberal state hardly allows you to walk barefoot on your own driveway...........

Funride, you are exactly right. Every other post is always about "where is the cheapest". I knew this was coming and it's the cheap bass consumer to blame.

 

if they want to cut production / logistical cost to the southern US, put a plant in arizona, not mexico!!

 

Nobama contacted CEO-S. Wise, and asked him if he would relocate and offer Polaris production jobs to Mexico to slow down the illegal immigrants coming across the border!!

 

I was pointing out the obvious! True, many of our products are "Bastardized" mixed
with foreign made parts. Seems that the powersport industry is no more incenstuous
than the AUTO market. But like FunRide points out its still an American
company just like FORD! It will be interesting to observe the development of
this situation! I don't buy it though, I really don't see it affording our southern
boyz anymore better pricing or product selection. I think the Mexico move is to
further pad the pockets of its corporate execs. If it wasn't we wouldn't be doing
it. Afterall, the rich and well-to-do, like thier lifestyles ya know!

Regards,

R'

 

I'm no fan of big corporate execs, but I don't think this is the primary motivation. They're desperately trying to stay competitive. It's unfortunate they can't be located in Arizona....Cheaper labor, likely cheaper steel (somehow they'll get it cheaper locally....although it's a global commodity), also probably cheap electricity subsidized by the government.

Look at how many companies moved out of the former West Germany to set up shop in Poland and East Germany when the wall came down. It's pure capitalism.....What giveth, shall taketh away.

 

You say PO-TATE-O and I say Pa-TAT-O. Isn't really all the same? You think the corporate execs are going to take a pay cut? Thats why its going to Mexico and not Arizona, yes cost savings on elec, assembly line, labor etc. etc. but that is where they are saving money not laying off or reducing bonus to the execs. So when other parts of the company are not profiting they will keep the execs and lay off worker bees and expect blue collar workers to work a 2 man job, longer hours without time and half pay (straight time), they may offer some comp time to satisfy them but to me that is fair not an incentive. Cut back benefits etc. it seems that corporate America does this before really cutting its corp execs. When the head honcho's start getting the pink slip, look out the company is probably folding, off course some of them will jump to comproble jobs, and some offered an early retirement.

I had family who worked here in Baltimore for all their lives to Bethlehem Steel, GM and Westinghouse, all got screwed! Terminated after 20 plus years, cheated from retirement etc. etc. that was back in the 70-80's. Yea we know a little on how it works even before our millenium era tanking econmy. My cousin has been out of work for over a year, nothing he can find anywhere. My other electrician cousin barely surviving his Union job, lots of electricians without work. And we are told this is one of the better places in the whole US for jobs.

Sorry if I don't have a soft spot for Mexico, I think the Gov't should tax the crap out of companies who are doing it! Everyone critized Kathy Lee Gifford and many alike for the sweat shop stuff a decade ago and now its become a double standard. -- IMO!

Regards,

R'

 

If i thought for a minute prices might go down because of this i would agree...

 

In reality, we are our on worst enemy. CEO-Scott Wise did pledge to double Polaris profits by 2014, but as consumers and "investors" in the financial market, we were not happy with the profits as they are. Call it what you want, Capitalistic, greed, retirement, etc., the money Polaris borrows has a ROI (return on investment). When we invest in the market (i.e.- CD's, MMA's, stocks, etc) we are expecting high returns, and don't tell me that you are happy with your returns currently, same goes with Polaris. As stockholders, "we" are telling Mr. Wise what our expectations are. Sure, the CEO's and all his little smurf's have big pockets too, peanuts to the the forecast of "doubling profits". The bottom line at Polaris is the forecasters-bean counters didn't see where the number one expense-labor costs was going to magically blend in on the bottom line, and not be a factor in the forecast of profits.
I could be wrong on this, but I've done plenty of years in finance and commercial floor planning, and that included Polaris dealers. And when it came time to borrow money, had to see the books and projections/forecasts (Snow checks, incentives, etc) to validate creditability. Back then, Polaris had a strong bottom line, vision statement that was untouchable, solid workforce, and products that were far superior to the competition. Since then, the PWC product line has closed, snowmobile market has deteriorated, ATV market has been invaded, and now the sided by side market is open competition. Also, warranty issues have on all product lines have taken a huge bite out of the Polaris bottom line.
So, when you see Polaris announce it's intent to move to Mexico, you and I have been a big part of the reason why this has happened. Polaris can pay a Mexican to work for $7/hr, and a US worker is getting $14/hr, doesn't take a math wizard to figure out where a "buck" can be saved. Yes, we are greedy and happy when our 401K's/IRA's/CD's/MMA's are making us plenty of interest, but many of those are "slush funds or investor funds" where companies like Polaris and others leaving the US soil borrow money and or infused with our money expecting high rate returns.
So I ask you, can we tolerate US companies like Polaris to leave? Do they have to file Bankruptcy like the automakers to get the government to give them a 0% loan? Do they have to be in debt over their balance sheet like a federally back company like Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae, or even AIG? How 'bout our loveable House/Congress/State representatives, what are they doing to stop this run off? Do they even care? It's one thing to have affordable health insurance for all, but when your congressman votes to have their own private insurance at the expense of tax payers, that seems to be a double standard. Sorry about the lengthy post here and my personal opinion, but when you see a company like Polaris leave, it really hits home.