Only time will tell how this will play out. We can only hope that the separation will remain between Polaris and Klim products. It is not easy. In today's world the odds are not stacked on the side of Klim only seeing positive influence from Polaris. You take the good with the bad in an marriage. They are now part of a bigger entity and no matter how hard they try, that connection is there. It comes down the executive management and shareholders and what they want and are a willing to do. My work experience is unfortunately the negative of this. We were acquired and I have watched our leaders slowly change over the last 12 years. The bottom line it is the shareholder returns that matter..... period. If we experience another 2009, Klim will be part of Polaris and what Polaris decides to do to get through it. For my experience, we had to cut, cut, cut, cut, so that the company kept it profit targets. The task was not a mix of cuts and reduced profit margin, it was do what you have to in order to NOT reduce the profit margins (one way street). Everything was fair game if it helped maintain the profit targets. This is the way much of the corporate world is heading and where it is at. I have been in engineering for 28 years and have watched it change drastically in that time. How many of you have heard "Do More with LESS" so many times it makes you sick. This thinking kills innovation because the people you have, and rely on, end up barely being able to keep their heads above water to just be able to maintain day to day requirements. My project reviews with management over the years have gone from Project reviews to Financial Reviews! The primary concern is not the technical issues but the financial status and if you are on track. Even before we launch a new product we have to submit our list of actions to management to reduce the internal cost to increase the financial return.
Don't get me wrong, financial responsibility is a very important part of keeping a company healthy and around for a long time. Like anything though you need to keep the Pendulum in the middle and keep balance. That will be the challenge for Klim and Polaris.
Lets hope that what got Klim to what they are today is left alone. If it is then they will continue to provide the same great stuff we all like. If they are not, then time will tell what happens. Probably not good.
As for Doo and Cat, they are going to have a real hard time to put their money to the bottom line of Poo so Klim has challenge ahead. How does Klim keep from losing this business? Provide something Doo and Cat cannot get anywhere else.
