Letter from Kevin Holleran, President-CEO of Textron Specialty Vehicles-
Arctic Cat Leadership Transitions
Since Textron’s acquisition of Arctic Cat Inc. on March 6, teams from Textron Specialized Vehicles and Arctic Cat have begun the integration of our two companies into a cohesive unit that fosters collaboration across our organizations, and best positions us for future growth and success. Today I am pleased to announce a significant step in that process, as we announce our organizational structure for the TSV Senior Leadership Team, and begin to execute leadership transitions within our combined companies.
Arctic Cat’s Dirt business, which includes its side-by-side and ATV product lines, will be combined into the TSV Consumer business under the leadership of Vice President, Consumer John Collins. Under John, our consumer business will combine our Textron Off Road and Arctic Cat side-by-side and ATV product lines, and continue to introduce innovative new models, build our brands, and expand our distribution to drive our continued growth in powersports, alongside our existing business in consumer personal transportation vehicles. Tracy Crocker, Vice President, Global ATV Business for Arctic Cat Inc., and Brit Reich, Vice President, North American Sales for Arctic Cat Inc., will support the transition of Arctic Cat’s dirt business to the TSV Consumer business before leaving the company on April 7. Additionally, Arctic Cat’s dirt engineering team will now report through the TSV Engineering function, led by Vice President, Engineering Chris Spencer.
Arctic Cat’s snowmobile business will become a stand-alone business line within Textron Specialized Vehicles. Erik Nelson, who currently serves as Vice President and General Manager, Snow and International for Arctic Cat, has decided to leave our company to pursue other career paths, but will lead the Snow business, including the snow engineering team, and international sales, on an interim basis until a successor is named.
Arctic Cat’s commercial business, which includes new lines of side-by-sides under development for commercial markets, will transition to the TSV Commercial business under the leadership of Vice President, Commercial Hamish Lusty. Arctic Cat Inc. Vice President, Commercial Sales John Carlson will support the transition of the business until April 7, when he will leave the company.
Arctic Cat’s sourcing, manufacturing and logistics operations, including the manufacturing facility in Thief River Falls, Minn. and engine manufacturing center in St. Cloud, Minn., will be integrated into the TSV Integrated Supply Chain organization under Vice President, ISC Jason Alford. Robert Sell, Vice President, Operations for Arctic Cat Inc., will support the integration until leaving the company April 7.
Arctic Cat Inc.’s finance team will be folded into the TSV Finance organization under Vice President, Finance Rocky Parson. Arctic Cat Inc. Chief Financial Officer Christopher Eperjesy will support the integration of the two finance teams leaving the company April 7. Arctic Cat’s Information Technology organization will become part of the TSV IT function under the leadership of Vice President, IT and Chief Information Officer Cheryl Fremaux.
Arctic Cat’s human resources team will become part of TSV Human Resources under the leadership of Vice President, HR Jamie Rutledge. Patricia Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer for Arctic Cat Inc., will help with the integration of the two HR teams until she departs the company April 7.
Arctic Cat’s legal team will report to TSV General Counsel Brian Tidwell. Arctic Cat Inc. Vice President for Legal Affairs Michael Okerlund will remain with the company through May 26 to assist in the transition and in the closeout of several important legal matters nearing completion.
In coming weeks, we will reshape Arctic Cat’s marketing function to embed marketing teams and resources within the Snow and Consumer businesses, as we have done with other TSV business lines. There are also critical marketing initiatives to execute, including campaigns to help reduce Arctic Cat’s field inventory, and preparations for the launch of 2018 models later this year. To lead these initiatives and support our transition to a new marketing structure, Arctic Cat Chief Marketing Officer Greg Williamson will remain in his role until June 30. I am appreciative of Greg’s willingness to delay his departure from the company in order to help us complete these important programs and projects.
As we complete the integration of Arctic Cat into Textron Specialized Vehicles, it is critical that we maintain a high standard of customer service to our channel partners and end-use customers, without disruptions to parts availability or level of customer care. To ensure this seamless transition, Arctic Cat Vice President and General Manager, PG&A Steven Nadler will remain on board, reporting to me. Arctic Cat Director of Product Support Robert Massey will continue to lead its customer-care function, reporting to Steven.
Anthony Williams, TSV Senior Director, Strategy and Business Development, will serve as integration leader for the entire integration program, working across business lines, functions and facilities to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Many members of the TSV Senior Leadership Team have already visited Arctic Cat’s facilities to meet their new teams, and many more visits will soon occur as we complete the transitions to new leaders and build our combined teams across business lines and functions. Although I understand that leadership shifts and organizational changes can be unsettling at times, I ask that all employees remain focused on their work at hand and on executing their individual and collective objectives as we complete this integration. We cannot afford to be distracted at this critical juncture.
In closing, I want to thank the Arctic Cat leadership team for its many contributions to the company during its tenure, and for its help in ensuring an efficient and seamless transition between leaders as we integrate our two organizations. Please join me in thanking these leaders for their service, and in wishing them well in the next endeavors in their careers.
