Polaris moving some work to Mexico....
- Thread starter cdsprague
- Start date
Yes, heard about it, seen an article in the Jan./Feb. issue of SnowTech magazine on page 18.
States in the article that the labor cost for Polaris will be 1/3 of what they pay now.
I had seen a while back in a newspaper article that a local WI company, Kapco, was working with Polaris to lease the Osceola facility which is some good news for that area.
Still don't like seeing the shift of jobs out of the U.S.
Here's the article on Kapco:
Kapco continues growth, adds plant in Osceola
By John Schmid of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 2, 2010
Kapco Inc., a family-run metal fabrication and stamping company based in Grafton, acquired the metalworking operations in the western Wisconsin city of Osceola from Polaris Industries Inc.
The move, meant to add 50 jobs in Osceola, is part of a larger expansion at Kapco, which has been hiring almost continuously since 2009, Kapco President Jim Kacmarcik said.
"No offense, but not every company in the Midwest is struggling," said Kacmarcik, adding that the payroll in Grafton is 260.
"We added 50 jobs in 2009 and another 63 in 2010, and we're looking for about 30 more in Grafton currently," Kacmarcik said. "We've been growing throughout the drought," increasing revenue by about 20% a year, he said.
The privately held company declined to give its annual revenue but said it's operating with a profit.
It saw another chance to expand when it learned that Polaris, a Minnesota-based maker of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles, announced plans this year to phase out production at its Osceola components factory.
Kapco will lease the Osceola plant, buy its equipment, and hire at least 50. The transaction automatically elevates Kapco to a Tier 1 supplier to Polaris even as it allows Kapco to seek other industrial customers in the nearby Twin Cities. When it made its announcement in May, Polaris said it had 515 full-time staff at its Osceola factory.
Raised in Wisconsin, Kacmarcik noted that he's keeping all his jobs in the state. Kacmarcik's father founded Kapco in 1972. It supplies metal components to Oshkosh Corp., Harley-Davidson Inc. and other companies. Asked why Kapco has grown while so many other machine-shops in the Midwest have struggled, Kacmarcik said it has a diversified base of clients.
He also drew attention to the company's culture, which offers a full slate of benefits, perks and community philanthropy. "The mission of Kapco Inc. is to employ dedicated, hard working and highly competent men and women in a never ending effort to become a premier metal stamping facility in the Midwest," according to the mission statement on the company's website.
States in the article that the labor cost for Polaris will be 1/3 of what they pay now.
I had seen a while back in a newspaper article that a local WI company, Kapco, was working with Polaris to lease the Osceola facility which is some good news for that area.
Still don't like seeing the shift of jobs out of the U.S.
Here's the article on Kapco:
Kapco continues growth, adds plant in Osceola
By John Schmid of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 2, 2010
Kapco Inc., a family-run metal fabrication and stamping company based in Grafton, acquired the metalworking operations in the western Wisconsin city of Osceola from Polaris Industries Inc.
The move, meant to add 50 jobs in Osceola, is part of a larger expansion at Kapco, which has been hiring almost continuously since 2009, Kapco President Jim Kacmarcik said.
"No offense, but not every company in the Midwest is struggling," said Kacmarcik, adding that the payroll in Grafton is 260.
"We added 50 jobs in 2009 and another 63 in 2010, and we're looking for about 30 more in Grafton currently," Kacmarcik said. "We've been growing throughout the drought," increasing revenue by about 20% a year, he said.
The privately held company declined to give its annual revenue but said it's operating with a profit.
It saw another chance to expand when it learned that Polaris, a Minnesota-based maker of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles, announced plans this year to phase out production at its Osceola components factory.
Kapco will lease the Osceola plant, buy its equipment, and hire at least 50. The transaction automatically elevates Kapco to a Tier 1 supplier to Polaris even as it allows Kapco to seek other industrial customers in the nearby Twin Cities. When it made its announcement in May, Polaris said it had 515 full-time staff at its Osceola factory.
Raised in Wisconsin, Kacmarcik noted that he's keeping all his jobs in the state. Kacmarcik's father founded Kapco in 1972. It supplies metal components to Oshkosh Corp., Harley-Davidson Inc. and other companies. Asked why Kapco has grown while so many other machine-shops in the Midwest have struggled, Kacmarcik said it has a diversified base of clients.
He also drew attention to the company's culture, which offers a full slate of benefits, perks and community philanthropy. "The mission of Kapco Inc. is to employ dedicated, hard working and highly competent men and women in a never ending effort to become a premier metal stamping facility in the Midwest," according to the mission statement on the company's website.
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They are building a ATV plant in Mexico to take care of the need for southwest US. ATV use is growing fastest down there right now.
The snowmobile engines are being moved to the home plant in Minnesota.
People have to realize it is a world business and world economy. It is no longer us against them.
The snowmobile engines are being moved to the home plant in Minnesota.
People have to realize it is a world business and world economy. It is no longer us against them.
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Guest
Old news.
indy_500
Well-known member
very old, didn't they announce this back in april?
Here's some NEW NEWS, New Page Whiting paper mill by Stevens Point WI is closing the doors at the end of February. Around 360 good paying jobs lost to the area. The mill makes light weight coated paper used in magazines. They claim over supply, I call it greed and price fixing. I know other mills around WI have also closed, more to come with the computer age. The mill has been around for more then 100 years.
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Guest
It is cheaper to move manufacturing out if the country. Has been for years. Taxes, labor, insurance - you name it- is more expensive here in the good old USA. We have been reduced to basically a service industry country. You want fries with that? Pol sells worldwide. So does just about everyone else that manufactures anything. Labor is a huge cost all by itself. They all have to get with the program if they are to compete. That program is not here in the good old USA. Blame whoever you want but we no longer produce the best bang for the buck. Wanna buy a TV? Try to find one made here. It has been years in the making but the reality right now is that India and China are where it's at. Why do you think smart companies like Disney are investing billions in India and no new developments are planned here in the continental US? Old news.
Sorry but they are both correct the topic was kicked around here many months ago.
deerhunter
New member
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Guest
The only thing we lead the world in is lawyers.Worked out really well, didn't it.
polarisrider1
New member
Whatever. It's been like this for a while. What you going to buy that's more American? All bold letters at that. Shame Polaris for what? Workers, sad to say it is not about you. It is about servival and profits. You would be surprised what all is not made here. KILLER Look around next time your in Wally world. Slave labor is less in Mexico and in third world countries. What sled is all american? Poo is ahead of the rest in that dept. I will buy Polaris even if made by chinese children, like most my clothes and everything else. Polaris is not anymore crap than any other brand. Oh, who built your computer?
I dont care where any skidoo's are made! Im talking about why our country is an HUGE HUGE MESS and I can't tell you how much people look past this stuff??? Everything is made in China ,Mexico, india? All of us are losing are lives over these kinds of problems... And these countries are laughing at us!!!! And making Tons of money!!! off big companies going to countries and paying there workers a few dollars an hour... And we see more layoffs and more layoffs!!! When is this going to stop ?? I think when we get our heads out of are you know what and make some kind of stand about this stuff?? But i think then it will be to late and will pay big time!! And if you think im full of it Do some searching... its going to happen THIS COUNTRY IS IN HUGE trouble Go to 60 minutes website and watch the show from 2 weeks ago might give you a little eye opener??? Skylar i bought my sled for a reason enough said
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Guest
Old news. 10 years old. Whatcha going to do about it? I'm gonna roll with it. Too late to do anything else. OLD NEWS.
polarisrider1
New member
Killerbee, I am totally aware of what you are saying, but we are neck deep in this mess and no sign of going back. This is how bad it has got: I can buy tile from China for say $1 a sq.ft. or from Italy for $6 sq.ft. I order the Italian brand only to find that it is the same China made stuff sold under an Italian label, Europe is wise too. Well the job is 9000 sq. Ft. Who gets the $45,000 difference? Me. and the money stays here, Italy no money goes there. China gets the 9 grand, I get the $45,000 plus markup. What are the options, but to play the game.
I wasn't denying that is wasn't already posted before! I don't live on this site I have a life. I'm glad I don't if I did I would have to be part of the click. I'm not interested!!
I just read this on my browser. It is new to me. Thanks for pointing it out that it is old news again. That is clear!
I have to keep reminding myself to quit posting on here! Just look at the cams and forecast. Just look at the cams and forecast....
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Deleted member 10829
Guest
Unions
Unions are a huge reason we are where we are today. Period!!
Unions are a huge reason we are where we are today. Period!!
Polaris used to produce 65,000 snowmobiles/year. This year production was capped at 18,000 units. There only profitable market right now is sideXsides.
No one likes jobs moving but cheap smack talk about not buying anything anymore is worthless to me. Global Economy grasp the idea and get used to it.
No one likes jobs moving but cheap smack talk about not buying anything anymore is worthless to me. Global Economy grasp the idea and get used to it.