Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today broke ground on an expansion of the company’s product development centre near Wyoming, Minn. Since opening in 2005, the 126,000-square-foot research and development facility has been pivotal in Polaris’ ascent to the top of the global powersports market.
“Opening the Wyoming facility seven years ago reinforced Polaris’ dedication to leading through innovation,” said Scott Wine, Polaris CEO. “Continuously improving our technology, and incorporating those advances into our vehicles, is the cornerstone of our success, and expanding our product development centre paves the way for its future contributions.”
Wine, along with other Polaris executives and political and civic leaders, took centre stage at the ground-breaking ceremony earlier today, driving shovels into the ground in a ceremonial start to the construction project. The event also was attended by Polaris employees and notable Minnesotan politicians and business leaders, including U.S. senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. congressman Chip Cravaack and commissioner Mark Phillips of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
“We are thankful for our continued partnership with Polaris, and excited that they chose to expand operations here in Minnesota,” DEED commissioner Phillips said. “This investment is an important boost to the local economy and will help maintain Polaris’ place as an industry leader and innovator.”
Greater MSP, the region’s economic development partnership, co-ordinated the involvement of Polaris, Chisago County, the City of Wyoming, and DEED, to compile a package of financial incentives to help Polaris expand. A combination of job training support, infrastructure improvements, R & D credits, JOBZ financing and other incentives provided a unique opportunity for Polaris’ project.
The expansion of the Wyoming facility will add 144,000 square feet to the existing building, more than doubling its size. This new space will provide large work bays for off-road vehicles, flexible conference and display space, a new electrical lab, and a new EMI room. The extra space will also allow expansion of the café and kitchen and add a new parking lot for additional employees. The construction effort will be led by Ryan Companies, US, the same firm that led construction on the original building in 2005.
“We were excited when Polaris chose Ryan to construct its product development centre in 2005, and we’re feeling that excitement again as we partner with Polaris to expand the facility,” said Pat Ryan, CEO and president, Ryan Companies, US, Inc. “Ryan is similar to Polaris in many ways, from our values to our rich history and Minnesota roots. It’s our privilege to partner with another great company on a project like this. We look forward to getting started.”
The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2013.
About Polaris
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.
Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on- road small electric/hybrid vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.
Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.
