The snowmobile changed the way mankind looks upon winter but it was a great challenge encouraging people to invest in it.  Some of the earlier mechanical problems compelled the company to go an extra mile in supplying customer service. This week’s article shows just how far.  It was presented by Irene Olson for the KJ 102 radio program A Look Back in Time some years ago.  The story was written by David Johnson Jr. for a 1999 college paper. 

“If the reins of the company were in the hands of anyone with lesser determination or character, the little snowmobile company may have gone by the wayside a long time ago.  Stories abound of the efforts of this company to create believers in its product.  This story is of a man who lived at Fort McMurray which was About 600 miles north-east of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 

“The man was a trapper, and he had been ridiculed by his neighbors and friends because he had just bought a contraption made by the Roseau, Minnesota based Polaris Industries, something that was absolutely taboo.  The machine was a Sno-Traveler, a machine designed with a track that propelled a sled-type front end with skis made out of car bumpers for steering. 

“The trapper decided he was going to show off his cool machine to everyone and prove how good it was.  He decided to drive right down the main street of Fort McMurray.  Everything was going fine until the engine on the machine threw a rod.  The machine broke down right in the middle of Main Street and everyone was laughing at him.  The guys from Polaris were in Edmonton when they got a call from the man.  He told them what had happened and said, “What can you do for me?” 

“The guys from Polaris didn’t miss a beat.  They said, “We’ve got spare engines and an airplane.  Just sit tight and we’ll be airborne within half an hour.”  They arrived and fixed that machine right in the middle of main street Fort McMurray while the entire town came out to watch.  Talk About service.

“Polaris’ hometown, family heritage serves as a foundation for success throughout the entire life of Polaris Industries.  Without it, Polaris would have slipped away after financial losses as most of the other snowmobile companies did.  Rising up from that foundation, three aspects of the company stand out as being products of that hometown ethic that contributed to success.  First, Polaris has all along had flexible leadership.  Second, it has been blessed with a dedicated, hard-working labor force.  Third and finally, the company leadership has had the ability and willingness to take risks.  Contributions to its success also lie in outside sources and circumstances, but these three aspects stand out as being constant and critical.”

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