THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — More than 300 previously laid-off employees will keep their jobs, Arctic Cat announced Thursday afternoon.
The news comes roughly two weeks after the Thief River Falls-based snowmobile manufacturer was taken over by Brad Darling, a former Arctic Cat executive. The company’s previous owners, Textron Specialized Vehicles, had announced in February that the Thief River Falls and St. Cloud plants would indefinitely suspend operations and that 385 workers would be laid off in May.
When Darling was named CEO and president last month, a news release said the Thief River Falls plant would continue operations as normal. Now, in the announcement Thursday, Arctic Cat unveiled a new 2026 snowmobile lineup, with plans to ramp up production at the Thief River Falls plant.
“Once we got the keys, we knew moving fast was our only option,” Darling said in a statement. “Having the ability to release a lineup of snowmobiles that offers new models and significant updates was the first step. Next, we are able to reengage the majority of our workforce of just under 500 employees, providing stability to our extended family.”
Dan Johnson, vice president of operations, said the company has been on a limited production run since the news that Arctic Cat would suspend operations at its facilities. The new 2026 lineup will create a ramp-up period for production and allow the supply base time to produce needed parts. He anticipates production activities to begin in late summer.
The Arctic Cat engine facility in St. Cloud will also expand its workforce, the news release said.
“Over 300 jobs within the Arctic Cat workforce faced immediate uncertainty,” the Thursday release said. “(The lineup provided) a huge sigh of relief to employees, family members and community about the future of the Arctic Cat brand.”
Shortly after the news broke, Thief River Falls Mayor Mike Lorenson said he was in the midst of a deluge of phone calls about the restored jobs, including from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and state Sen. Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks. Lorenson said he himself was still digesting the news.
“From my side, I’m excited for what the new leadership has in store for Arctic Cat,” he said. “New energy, new focus, if you will, and it’s exciting this year that they have a new lineup that they’re working on right away. They’ve been very aggressive to make some changes.”
In a follow-up statement, Lorenson praised Arctic Cat’s swift action and commitment to the city.
“This is a great step forward for our city,” he said in the statement. “I look forward to seeing this hometown legacy thrive once again.”
The Herald’s Hannah Shirley contributed to this report.
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