With the purchase of Arctic Cat by Textron Inc. there have been numerous questions raised, both positive and apprehensive.
We see the new owners as a well-run, well-managed group that will use a business plan that has been highly successful for decades.
Textron is a multi-national and owns several very stable entities that will likely benefit Arctic Cat both in the immediate future and long term.
Here are some predictions and possibilities:
ENGINE INVESTMENT
Arctic Cat’s St.Cloud, Minnesota engine plant is an absolute jewel and could easily be maximized as an engine supplier for Textron companies like Bad Boy Off-Road, Cushman and future military projects.
Cat’s state-of-the-art facility has much more capacity and real estate available and could easily grow into a giant force for Textron to supply future projects onshore in the USA.
FINANCING
One huge area Textron excels in is finance. As it is, the company supplies retail funding for aircraft like Beechcraft and Cessna.
We’re not sure if Textron has a wholesale finance arm for its other powersport related entities, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the company became a financier for both Cat dealers and its customers.
The upside for this is if the company controls its own financing, it is free to enable new and creative finance options for the sale of Arctic Cat products.
DEVELOPMENT
With deep pockets and a strong will to lead, Textron may be willing to invest in Arctic Cat to continue the company’s already-strong engineering prowess for the development of new products.
CROSSOVER
There’s unlimited potential for Cat’s off-road division to cross over products with Bad Boy and visa-versa.
Modified versions of the Prowler and Alterra could be adopted by Bad Boy and Bad Boy’s electric power innovations could easily be incorporated into Cat’s off-road Prowler line-up.
