History of Arctic Cat® Snowmobiles

If you're a winter powersports enthusiast, you may be familiar with Arctic Cat - a longstanding American manufacturer that has been building reliable and high-performance snowmobiles for decades at their Minnesota headquarters.

Here's a brief history of the iconic brand:

Early Days

Arctic Cat was originally founded in 1960 as Polar Manufacturing by Edgar Hetteen, who had previously developed successful snowmobiles with his brother and friend at their Hetteen Hoist & Derrick company in Roseau, Minnesota. The company was later renamed Arctic Enterprises and their snowmobiles were branded as Arctic Cats. Despite initial skepticism about snowmobiles, Hetteen was convinced of their popularity and created his own company in Thief River Falls, Minnesota in 1960. During the 60s and 70s, the company grew to become a major snowmobile manufacturer.

Collapse & Rebirth

Arctic Enterprises faced financial difficulties during the recession of the 1970s and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1981. However, the demand for Arctic Cat snowmobiles remained strong, and in 1983, Edgar Hetteen and other former managers established a new company called Arctco Inc. with exclusive rights to the Arctic Cat name. Production resumed in August of that year and the company's success continued through the end of the decade until it became a publicly traded company in 1990.

The Cat Returns

In 1996, Arctco Inc. was renamed Arctic Cat Inc. to capitalize on the brand recognition of its iconic name. The company established a new distribution center in Bucyrus, Ohio in 1997 to increase production speed, but much of its manufacturing still takes place in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Today, Arctic Cat, Inc. continues to be a leading manufacturer of snowmobiles, including the Thundercat, Mountain Cat, Blast, Norseman, Riot, and ZR® families.

Models

Over the years, Arctic Cat has produced dozens of snowmobile models with names like Cougar, Cheetah, Panther, Firecat, and more. The company also offers youth models and has recently developed quieter and more environmentally friendly four-stroke models.

Arctic Cat has certainly come a long way since its founding in 1960. Despite facing difficulties in the past, the company has managed to maintain its reputation as a top-tier snowmobile manufacturer. With decades of experience and a commitment to innovation, Arctic Cat has continued to produce high-performance snowmobiles that are beloved by winter powersports enthusiasts. From the iconic Thundercat to the newer, more environmentally friendly four-stroke models, Arctic Cat's range of snowmobiles is impressive. So, whether you're a seasoned snowmobiler or a newcomer to the sport, Arctic Cat is definitely a brand to consider.