polaris to expand

Polaris Industries Inc. today announced plans to expand its engineering facility in Roseau, Minn. It will be the 30th time in the recreational and utility vehicle maker's 48-year history that the company has invested in the northwestern Minnesota town where the company was founded.

Construction on the new $7 million engineering facility is scheduled to begin in Fall, 2002. When completed Polaris will improve its engineering capability through improved facilities, tools and a collaborative work environment. Polaris' announcement comes on the heels of Thursday's special legislative session, where lawmakers approved much-needed state aid to help flood victims in the area.

"We're thrilled to continue to invest in Roseau where the heart and soul of Polaris was born," said Tom Tiller, Polaris president and CEO. "Getting state aid to begin rebuilding the infrastructure of Roseau was critical to our ability to expand and attract and retain a phenomenal workforce. I applaud lawmakers and wholeheartedly thank our Polaris employees in Roseau who have kept doing their jobs, while trying to rebuild the town at the same time."

Tiller worked side-by-side with volunteers throughout the night of June 11, sandbagging and pumping water away from the Polaris plant. Since the flooding began, Polaris has worked actively with local, state and federal government leaders to rebuild the community.

David Johnson, Edgar Hetteen and Allan Hetteen founded Polaris in Roseau in 1954. Johnson and Edgar Hetteen invented the modern-day snowmobile in 1956. Over the years, the company has grown to become a $1.5 billion manufacturer of ATVs (now the company's largest business), snowmobiles, watercraft and Victory Motorcycles, Polaris RANGER and the Polaris Professional Series. More than 1,800 of Roseau's 2,500 residents work at the Polaris manufacturing facility. Polaris completed a $12 million manufacturing facility upgrade at the Roseau plant last year.