The brand Polaris is known for its power sports vehicles and everything that comes with them. The company has been around for a long time, and it’s hard to imagine the power sports market without it.
Like any company that has been around for a long time, there have been several owners who have contributed to the growth and development of Polaris.
In this article, we’ll discuss who owns Polaris Inc., their history, and the companies and brands they own. So are you looking for these questions. Then read on quickly.
Also read: Where Is Your Polaris Made? ATVs, UTVs, Slingshot and …
A Bit Of Polaris inc. Ownership History
Polaris Inc. was founded by three individuals: Edgar Hetteen, Allan Hetteen, and David Johnson.
The company was founded in 1954 in Roseau, Minnesota, United States. Edgar Hetteen, who had a background in mechanical engineering, played a significant role in the development and production of the company’s early snowmobile models. Allan Hetteen, Edgar’s brother, and David Johnson, a local mechanic, joined forces with Edgar to establish Polaris Inc. and set the foundation for the company’s success in the powersports industry.
In 1968, Polaris inc. was bought by Textron Industries. They sold the company to a group of investors in 1981, and W. Hall Wendel, Jr., named president of Polaris, led the management group that purchased Polaris from Textron.
Also read: Polaris UTV Reliability, Check Your Model Here!
Who Owns Polaris Industries?
Nice that background information, but who are the current owners of Polaris inc? The current top shareholders are:
| Name | Shares Held | % | Per date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital World Investors | 6,182,062 | 10.86% | 03/31/2023 |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 5,828,126 | 10.24% | 03/31/2023 |
| BlackRock, Inc. | 4,868,936 | 8.56% | 03/31/2023 |
| State Street Corporation | 4,397,116 | 7.73% | 03/31/2023 |
| Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, The | 2,406,266 | 4.23% | 03/31/2023 |
| Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. | 2,177,327 | 3.83% | 03/31/2023 |
| Boston Partners | 2,028,615 | 3.57% | 03/31/2023 |
| Van Eck Associates Corporation | 1,828,114 | 3.21% | 03/31/2023 |
| Confluence Investment Management LLC | 1,125,550 | 1.98% | 03/31/2023 |
Below, information about the shareholders and their business:
- Capital World Investors
This is a subsidiary of Capital Group, a prominent investment management organization. It manages a wide range of equities and offers investment services to both institutional and individual clients. - The Vanguard Group, Inc.
The Vanguard Group is a prominent investment management company and one of the largest shareholders of Polaris Inc. - BlackRock, Inc.
BlackRock is another major global investment management corporation that held a significant stake in Polaris Inc. - State Street Corporation
State Street is a financial service and bank holding company that had a significant ownership stake in Polaris Inc. - The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
They are also known as Manulife, is a global financial services company that offers a wide range of insurance, investment, and wealth management products. - Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.
This is an independent investment management firm based in Canada. They specialize in managing equity portfolios for institutional and individual clients. - Boston Partners
This is an investment management firm based in the United States. They specialize in actively managed equity and fixed income strategies for institutional and individual clients.\ - Van Eck Associates Corporation
This is an investment management firm based in the United States. They are known for offering a range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other investment products. - Confluence Investment Management LLC
This is an investment management firm based in the United States. They specialize in providing asset management services to institutional clients, including pension funds, endowments, and foundations.
Also read: Are Polaris ATVs Reliable, Check Your Model Here!
Polaris Subsidiaries And Brands
Polaris Inc. owns many brands and companies in different industries. The Polaris Inc. portfolio includes some well-known brand names and subsidiaries.
- Polaris Snowmobiles
Produces a range of snowmobiles for recreational and professional use. - Polaris Off-Road
Manufactures and sells off-road vehicles, including ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles), and Side-by-Sides. - Indian Motorcycle
Revived in 2011, Indian Motorcycle is an iconic American motorcycle brand known for its cruisers and touring motorcycles. - Slingshot
Produces three-wheeled, open-air roadsters. - GEM (Global Electric Motorcars)
Manufactures electric vehicles, including neighborhood electric vehicles and street-legal electric cars. - Aixam Mega
Specializes in manufacturing light-duty commercial vehicles, primarily for the European market. - Klim
Offers high-performance gear and apparel for powersports enthusiasts. - Kolpin Outdoors
Provides ATV and UTV accessories, including storage solutions, gun boots, and plows. - Transamerican Auto Parts
Operates a network of off-road vehicle and truck accessory retail stores under the brand name 4 Wheel Parts. - Timbersled
Produces snow bike conversion kits that transform motorcycles into snowmobile-like vehicles. - Boat Holdings
Acquired in 2018, Boat Holdings manufactures pontoon boats under various brand names, including Bennington, Godfrey, and Hurricane.
When Was Polaris Founded, And Other Milestones
As you know by now, Polaris Inc. is an American company founded in 1954 in Roseau, Minnesota. So, it is interesting to see the timeline of Polaris and which milestones they achieved.
- 1954: Polaris Inc. is founded by Edgar Hetteen, Allan Hetteen, and David Johnson, with a focus on building innovative snowmobiles.
- 1960s: Polaris gains recognition in the snowmobile industry with the introduction of successful models like the Polaris Sno-Traveler.
- 1968: Polaris goes public and is listed on the American Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in its growth.
- 1980s: Polaris becomes a leader in snowmobile technology, introducing advancements like independent front suspension and liquid-cooled engines.
- 1994: Polaris expands its product lineup beyond snowmobiles and enters the ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) market with the introduction of the Polaris Sportsman.
- 2000: Polaris diversifies further by launching its Victory Motorcycle brand, entering the heavyweight cruiser motorcycle segment.
- 2011: Polaris acquires the historic Indian Motorcycle brand, with a vision to revive and redefine it in the motorcycle industry.
- 2015: Polaris establishes its electric vehicle division through the acquisition of Brammo, Inc., which later becomes Polaris Inc.’s Zero Motorcycles.
- 2018: Polaris expands into the boating industry with the acquisition of Boat Holdings, a leading manufacturer of pontoon boats.
