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Arctic Cat

By fastenau

  • gas-powered sled

    Pete Peterson commissions 'gas-powered' sled from Hetteen Hoist and Derrick.

  • primary business

    Snowmobiles become primary business of Hetteen Hoist and Derrick, later renamed Polaris Industries.

  • controlling interest

    Hetteen sells controlling interest in Polaris Industries

  • Hetteen moves operations

    Hetteen moves operations to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and founds Polar Manufacturing Company

  • Arctic Enterprises

    Polar Manufacturing is renamed Arctic Enterprises, Inc.; Arctic Cat 100, the first front-engined sport sled, is introduced

  • $21.7 million

    Annual sales reach $21.7 million

  • Arctic Enterprises

    Arctic Enterprises acquires Silverline Inc. of Moorhead, Minnesota

  • Sales plummet

    Sales plummet and bankers call Arctic Enterprises' $48.5 million in loans; company files for bankruptcy.

  • Arctco, Inc

    Arctco, Inc. is founded by Edgar Hetteen and investors

  • Company produces

    Company produces the first of its all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); Arctco changes its name to Arctic Cat Inc.