by April Scheinoha
Editor

Arctic Cat is planning to expand its production capacity. At its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Thief River Falls City Council supported the company’s Minnesota Forward Fund application.

Rick Trontvet, vice president of human resources at Arctic Cat, said the company is excited about Arctic Cat getting a new life.

Richard Baker, economic/community development director, said Arctic Cat proposes to hire more than 120 new, full-time employees by renovating and modernizing its existing Thief River Falls facility. It plans to restore jobs and expand capacity lost under Textron’s previous ownership of Arctic Cat. In addition, the current ownership group plans to purchase new equipment related to the expansion of production of snowmobiles, side-by-sides, all-terrain vehicles and other power sports equipment. Arctic Cat also plans to expand its research and development capabilities.

Baker later told the Northern Watch that city leaders don’t yet know the dollar amount of the funding request. He expected to learn that amount within the next two weeks after Arctic Cat has formally submitted its Minnesota Forward Fund application.

Trontvet told the council that Arctic Cat doesn’t think the funding application will involve any expenditures of city funds. However, since the city would act as the fiscal agent for the proposed funding, it would involve some time from Baker, City Administrator Angie Philipp and Mayor Mike Lorenson.

Trontvet said Arctic Cat hopes to create better, more innovative equipment and products, therefore raising the bar and hiring even more employees.

“There’s a lot of energy at Arctic Cat,” said Trontvet, who noted the turnover rate is at an all-time low. He added that there has been a lot of interest from people who would like to return to Arctic Cat as well as others.

“We produce in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud. St. Cloud is our engine assembly plant,” said Trontvet, who noted most of the snowmobiles, side-by-sides and ATVs are made in Thief River Falls. Some out-of-state contract providers make equipment for Arctic Cat that is labeled.

Arctic Cat has a service parts depot in Bucyrus, Ohio, that employs about 35 people. Trontvet said the depot will remain open. The depot provides parts, garments and accessories. Arctic Cat also owns a test facility in Idaho.

In April, Brad Darling and an investment group purchased Arctic Cat from Textron Specialized Vehicles. Textron had owned Arctic Cat since 2017.