MEDINA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Polaris employees and Polaris riders worldwide are celebrating the life
and mourning the passing of one of the company’s co-founders, David
Johnson. He passed away yesterday in Roseau, Minn., after an extended
illness. He was 93 years old.
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Polaris Riders Worldwide are Celebrating the Life and Mourning the Passing of one of the Company's co-founders, David Johnson. (Photo: Business Wire)
Since he helped start Polaris in the early 1950s, David focused his
career on product engineering and manufacturing, and developed a deep
connection with Polaris employees during his four-plus decades with the
company. In the years following his retirement in 1988, he remained one
of the faces of Polaris as he enjoyed visiting the Roseau manufacturing
facility and often gave tours at the Polaris Experience Center located
near the plant.
“David Johnson embodied the Polaris culture and work ethic, and his
positive impact on the company continues to inspire us today,” said
Polaris Chairman and CEO Scott Wine. “David valued hard work, passion
for the riding experience, and an unwavering spirit of innovation. He
set a tremendous example with his dedication and commitment to the
company and employees. We are saddened by his passing and offer our
sincere condolences to Eleanor and David’s family and friends.”
After working together for a few years, David and his two cousins, Edgar
and Allan Hetteen, officially founded Polaris in 1954. Polaris produced
a variety of products, including several agricultural products such as
straw cutter attachments for combines. But David Johnson and several
co-workers who were avid outdoorsmen envisioned a vehicle – a snow
machine – they could use in winter to reach their remote hunting shacks.
In late 1955, David and his cohorts created the first Polaris
snowmobile, a machine that made its first run across a snowy Roseau
field in January 1956.
Polaris began producing snowmobiles and helped create the global market
for the versatile winter machines. David later said that while Polaris
did not invent the snow machine, the company was the first to
successfully market snowmobiles. With David in production roles such as
Vice President of Manufacturing, Polaris became the snowmobile
industry’s long-time market share leader, the dominant brand in
snowmobile racing, and the brand known for delivering the best ride and
handling. By the time David retired in 1988, the company had begun to
diversify and was also producing and marketing off-road vehicles.
David was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 1999, and he
received numerous honors from snowmobile clubs and associations
worldwide.
David Johnson is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eleanor, and their
children, Rodney, Mary, Mitchell, and Aaron. Information about funeral
services is forthcoming. All Polaris employees are honorary pallbearers
for the service.
About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with
annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders,
workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®, RZR®
and POLARIS GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN®
and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY®
and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles;
SLINGSHOT® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®,
SWITCHBACK® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris
enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold
under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence in
adjacent markets globally with products including military and
commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. www.polaris.com
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Source: Polaris Industries Inc.