Polaris Moving to Mexico

Here's the article, will try to get the link.


St. Paul, Minn. — Polaris Industries announced Thursday it will shut down its plant in the western Wisconsin city of Osceola, putting more than 500 people out of work. Polaris is headquartered in Medina, Minn. and saw its sales take a tumble last year.

Word of the shutdown spread quickly through the small town of about 3,000 people.

"I found out when I walked into the gas station to get a pack of cigarettes, and it floored me," said Steven Meyer, who owns the Cascade Bar, where a lot of Polaris workers hang out.

"We get quite a few of them down here," he said. "When they do their profit-sharing they come down, and I usually set up a little special bratwurst and that kind of thing for them."

Meyer said he's worried what the shutdown will mean for the town's other businesses, like the supermarket where many Polaris employees shop.

The Polaris plant makes parts for the company's snowmobiles, ATVs and Victory motorcycles. Officials say some of the work will be moved to the company's plants in Roseau, Minn., and Spirit Lake, Iowa plants. And some will move to a new factory the company will build in Monterrey, Mexico.

Polaris also said it's negotiating to sell some of its parts manufacturing processes and equipment in Osceola to suppliers who would continue making components there.

Polaris is one of the largest employers in Polk County, Wis. The company said it expects the moves will save $30 million a year.

Polaris had a tough 2009. With the recession causing consumers to rein in spending, Polaris saw its sales and profits drop at double-digit rates.

The company said this year is likely to be tough for the industry, too. So Polaris is on a campaign to raise its prices and cut product costs to help the bottom line.

Company spokeswoman Marlys Knutson said the shutdown will take place gradually over the course of the next 18-24 months.

She said the affected employees will be allowed to apply for jobs at the other Polaris facilities or with companies that continue producing parts in Osceola. She said the company is doing everything it can for the workers.

"We are very concerned about the employees that this is affecting, and we want to help them as much as we can through the transition," said Knutson.

Polaris officials made the announcement Thursday in a meeting with employees. Company officials stationed police outside the plant during the meeting, in case of trouble.

Bar owner Steven Meyer said many of his friends from the plant have worked there for years. He said people have a right to be angry.

"It's the people that are going to lose their homes, not be able to pay their rent -- that kind of thing," said Meyer. "What are they going to do? Unemployment doesn't really take care of your livelihood. It is going to be tough on people, but everybody bounces back. Let's hope they all do."

Anothering one bites the dust. Really sad.

Polaris in Mexico? What would they know about snowmobiles there. That just isn't right!!!! :witsend:

Comon Man.

You know anything about a Factory.

If yer a worker you only have to be trained and know about yer job classification.
Each worker does one pacific thing. Nobody builds most of anything.
Polaris builds a lot more than snowmobiles too.:rant:

I was looking to buy a Polaris Ranger later this year when I retire. I may just have to look into the competition a litter more closely.

I've had a Mule for about 5 yrs
Its much quieter too

Polaris shouldn't down grade themselves!! I've only worked in one factory ever and won't be returning anytime soon or in the future!!

Depending on if they are Union or not. Polaris makes a good product, as of now!

Their Jet Ski's were junk

Why???

Nobody that had a Polaris Jet Ski could keep em runnin.
Polaris quit makin Jet Skis too.:rant:

They could build the new plant in south Texas and have all mexican labor they want.

They are still in the United States and have to pay bigger money to do business here. And if theres a union they can't git away from it.
They can git day laborers in Mexico for like 25.00 a day with no benefits.

Hanna Steel moved down there years ago on account of the union, You couldn't make a union worker work and you couldn't fire a union worker.
Hanna Steel found out they could build a plant there, build steel tubing and builds like Wal-Mart and ship them here cheaper than they could build them in the U.S.