Textron Announces Indefinite Production Pause at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud
The news from Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud is not what anyone wanted to hear. Textron, the company’s owner, is hitting the pause button on production, affecting snowmobile, ATV, and UTV lines. It’s tough news for the workers, but Textron is exploring new options for their powersports products.
Limited production will continue to meet existing customer orders, but after the first half of 2025, production will stop indefinitely. This pause means job cuts for workers, with those who stay until the end date receiving severance benefits.
Textron cites soft consumer demand for powersports products as the reason for these tough decisions. An inventory charge of $30-40 million will impact earnings per share for 2024, but the company is prioritizing cost reduction.
Earlier reductions affected 65 employees, and the situation is tough for all involved. In a statement, Brandon Haddock, Textron’s Director of Communications, expressed the company’s commitment to helping current customers while planning for the future.
Arctic Cat is ready to support its dealers and customers with existing inventory and services. Production will resume briefly in the new year to fulfill current orders before the pause begins. Textron will keep an eye on industry conditions during this suspension and provide updates as needed.
It’s a challenging time for everyone involved, but Textron is grateful for the loyalty and understanding of its employees, dealers, and customers. The company will navigate these tough decisions with the support of its community.
