Michelle Thilges
Successful Farming magazine Content Specialist

Bobcat Company and Polaris Industries announced a five-year strategic alliance that will complement the strengths of both companies with regards to machinery and technology. The companies will co-develop work vehicles, share technology and introduce a highly differentiated work vehicle. The companies are not offering a description of the vehicle, but said it will be launched in the latter part of 2010.

"We are thrilled about the long-term implications of this alliance," said Richard Goldsbury, president, Bobcat Americas. "Bobcat's and Polaris' long traditions of innovation, product passion and similar cultures complement each other very well."

Scott Wine, Polaris Industries CEO, said "Initially, Polaris will produce and sell highly differentiated work vehicles to Bobcat for sale through the Bobcat dealer network. The breadth and depth of our cooperative efforts will expand thereafter to include co-developed vehicles for both Polaris and Bobcat, and further technology-sharing."

More than 50 years ago, Bobcat Company introduced the Melroe Self-Propelled Loader, which evolved into the Bobcat skid-steer loader. Bobcat has expanded its line to include excavators, utility vehicles and several attachments for their products.

In 1954, Polaris Industries came out with snowmobiles and quickly developed a line to include all terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, and motorcycles. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs) including: All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), the Polaris RANGER, snowmobiles, and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use.