Arctic Cat layoffs etc.
- Thread starter mspease
- Start date
I'll put my money on there is a sale in progress here and I will put it on either CF moto or ARGO. but let's keep the doom and gloom going, it's quite laughable! LOL There is another thing that I am surprised hasn't landed on this site yet, and I'm patiently awaiting it and the ridiculous over reaction to follow LOL!
wait??? what??? Doo laid off a bunch??? say it isn't so!! doing research I too hope Argo but CFmoto also a new and upcoming rising star in the power sports business. Either way I'm willing to bet there is a sale occurring and will be interesting to see who
indy_500
Well-known member
BRP laid off 120 people total yesterday across 3 different plants in Quebec.
Guessing the other surprise you’re talking about is John Deere.
I just hope it sells quickly. This Textron way of doing business has destroyed the brand. The Catalyst was a glimmer of hope, and I understand the layoffs, but pulling the race dept is not acceptable. That is the R&D for almost all of what ends up in show rooms. Very Strange that they did it now. All the race sleds are built and delivered, and most prepped for the season. Budgets had been set, Teams in place. Very very strange time to do it. Time will tell what the factors were for this to happen. What a kick in the stones for the racers that still race Cat.
By "bunch" I meant quite a few people but not enough to be concerned given their size - more of a production adjustment.
I hate what BRP did to the marine brands they bought, or Alcom to trailers, etc. Sign of the times I guess but big corps don't care about niche brand names with loyal followers.
SledTL
Active member
Most recreational brands are all what I would call "thankless" industries that have survived mostly on passion for years. For whatever reason, likely globalization and greed, that is gone and not just sleds. Some days I look at the club work and go what is the reason for this. Its a simple fact that life from the 80s and 90s isnt the same today and coming to grips with that change is hard.
Seems it's just another chapter of Cat failed management, and financial problems there of. Sadly, its been going on for right at 50 years. I just hope there is one more rabbit in the rescue hat this time.
indy_500
Well-known member
Yes
dfattack
Well-known member
They will have problems selling them in Canada “I think” since Canada has restrictions on products made in China. That might not be good for sales up there
Me too with Yammy dropping out we need AC to stay!
it is my understanding that they are only dropping out of the snow-cross circuit and not out of racing as a whole, funny thing is one of the top snow cross teams will continue to race with Cat this season. I still think and hope to soon find out that there is either a sale in progress or a serious buyer for cat. And for those of you who don't care for Cat or if they go away, we are down to 3 manufacturers and I have news for you... competition leads to innovation. I hope the brand is here to stay as those of you who don't care for the brand, there are those of us who don't care for the other offering's as well. I'm not dwelling on doom and gloom, nor do I regret buying a new Cat, I don't see the brand going away as it would be detrimental to the sport if it does and that's the truth, whether you like them or not.
dfattack
Well-known member
How I see it just because someone like me who might not want to buy a Cat doesn't mean they want cat to go away. I want them around for competition. They make my brand of choice better simply by being there and innovating which keeps other manufacturers on their toes. I know that's been said before many times but seems like you think non-cat buyers want them to go away. That's the furthest from the truth as far as I'm concerned. Who knows maybe they come on strong and maybe I will take a look at them one day. Honestly didn't think I would be on a doo after being on Yamaha my whole life. Yamaha practically pushed me out the door then called it quits and honestly I'm very satisfied with what I have so all good.
may be true for some Darren but I will never understand all the negativity towards Cat, and not just because I am a Cat guy. The fact of the matter is the entire industry is hurting, in fact the whole powersports industry is and for all we know some may be worse than we know. Cat has been very open so far with their doings and I agree with some of their decisions, if any more had come forward with the same I wouldn't think any different but for some reason Cat is aways the target and it is always doom and gloom from the instant Textron took over, if I could rewind, the writing was on the wall already according to some many years ago, and here we are today with the introduction of some real innovation although others dont see it, it is. I hope they are here to stay and I will finish by saying that all the doom and gloom and negativity just gets tiring after a while especially when the others are in a similar predicament and dealing with it in other ways but no big news about that.
I feel very strongly that if Cat knew what Textron was going to do, they NEVER would have sold to them. When Cat went out early 80s, 5 employees brought it back, and stronger than ever. I don't see them going away, but they have a very tough road ahead of them. My own personal belief, is they had a buyer lined up, and the deal fell apart. I cant see why they would pull the race dept this late in the game for any other reason. Many rumors floating around right now, and time will give the answer, but for now they are in some pretty sad days. I will never buy a Textron product again. Let these dogs lay in their filth, they don't deserve the loyal Cat customers that have supported that brand for so many years. My heart goes out to the racers that still support these people. Racing is an extremely difficult financial way of life, and to pull funding the week before racing starts is terrible for all. With any luck they will find a buyer and move on to the next chapter, I so look forward to that day. They never made any decisions that were long term for the brand. Think back if you follow them, some of the top people they put in place had never even been on a snowmobile. I have no respect for these folks at all. I have been a very loyal customer for Cat for decades, but i am done with them until they have a new owner. It will happen, and i just hope whoever makes the purchase they are serious about keeping the brand going. Textron has ripped every penny form every corner, time for them to go.