Over 400 Minnesota Arctic Cat employees to be laid off this spring

Yahoo

28-02-2025

Feb. 27—THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — Just over 400 Minnesota Arctic Cat workers will be laid off this spring from the company's Thief River Falls and St. Cloud manufacturing locations, parent company Textron has confirmed.
Approximately 385 employees in Thief River Falls will be laid off this May, and 19 will be laid off from the St. Cloud location in March, according to Minnesota's State Rapid Response Team and a Textron spokesperson.
The layoffs are a result of "changing business needs" that require Textron to permanently reduce its Thief River Falls workforce, according to a Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) letter from the Rapid Response Team.
The Grand Forks Herald
previously reported Textron's plan to cease Arctic Cat operations in Thief River Falls
, but this new documentation makes it official and gives a more accurate number of affected workers.
The layoffs in Thief River Falls will take place May 8-22, a news release accompanying the letter said. Affected positions include technicians, programmers, custodians, engineers, supervisors, painters, inspectors, managers, analysts, security, drivers and welders.
Employees who work up to their specific completion date will be eligible for severance benefits, according to Brandon Haddock, a spokesperson for Textron. He confirmed that the facility's manufacturing operations will be suspended by May 22.
Haddock said the last working day for St. Cloud workers will be Friday, March 14. All 19 will be laid off when the plant closes.
He told St. Cloud LIVE in December
that the closures were due to ongoing business conditions and a "softness" in consumer end market and design.
"Textron Inc. continues to explore strategic alternatives regarding the future of the powersport business," Haddock said. "If developments necessitate a change in plans for our facilities in St. Cloud and Thief River Falls, we will make further announcements as needed."
According to past Herald reporting, the Thief River Falls plant has at times employed 800 or more people. The factory has manufactured snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-side recreational vehicles, in addition to parts, garments and related accessories.
The company has had as many as 50 employees throughout the year at the St. Cloud engine manufacturing facility, St. Cloud Economic Development Authority Director Cathy Mehelich previously told St. Cloud LIVE.
While the company is laying off more than 400 Minnesota workers between the two locations, Haddock said Arctic Cat is not going out of business.
"Our sales organization, customer service teams, aftermarket distribution centers and other functions are ready to assist our dealers and loyal customers," he said. "We are committed to providing the service and support to keep our thousands of loyal customers riding and enjoying Arctic Cat vehicles."
St. Cloud LIVE reporter Trent Abrego contributed to this report.