Bobcat Co. and Polaris Industries Inc. Announce Long-Term Strategic Alliance

Bobcat Co., West Fargo, N.D., and Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, Minn., have announced a long-term strategic alliance that will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to penetrate work-related market segments globally, according to the press release.

The alliance will include co-development of work vehicles, supply of highly differentiated work vehicles and technology sharing, with a planned launch by the second half of 2010.

“We are thrilled about the long-term implications of this alliance,” says Richard Goldsbury, president of Bobcat Americas. “Bobcat’s and Polaris’ long traditions of innovation, product passion and similar cultures complement each other very well.”

Scott Wine, Polaris Industries CEO, says this alliance is consistent with Polaris’ stated goal of diversifying beyond core powersports segments and will enhance efforts to accelerate the growth of their military and international business.

He adds, “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 combining the strengths of the number-one compact construction equipment manufacturer with those of the number-one off-road vehicle manufacturer to deliver innovative product solutions for our customers,” Goldsbury says. “This alliance will enable both companies to extend our customer bases and provide profitable growth.”