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Two of my favorite companies, <a href=”http://bobcat.com/” target=”_blank”>Bobcat</a> and <a href=”http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Vehicles/Pages/Home.aspx” target=”_blank”>Polaris</a> recently announced a long-term strategic alliance that will include co-development of work vehicles, global distribution of highly differentiated work vehicles and technology sharing. The first products resulting from this alliance should launch by the second half of 2010. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.</p>
<p>“We are thrilled about the long-term implications of this alliance,” sas Richard Goldsbury, president, Bobcat Americas. “Bobcat’s and Polaris’ long traditions of innovation, product passion and similar cultures complement each other very well.”</p>
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<p>Scott Wine, Polaris Industries CEO, says Polaris initially will produce and sell highly differentiated work vehicles to Bobcat for sale through the Bobcat dealer network. The breadth and depth of cooperative efforts will eventually include co-developed vehicles for both Polaris and Bobcat as well as other technology sharing efforts.</p>
<p>“We are combining the strengths of the number-one compact construction equipment manufacturer with those of the number-one off-road vehicle manufacturer to deliver innovative product solutions for our customers,” Goldsbury says. “This alliance will enable both companies to extend our customer bases and provide profitable growth.”</p>
<p>Stay tuned as this cooperative effort unfolds.</p>
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<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>