New Division Aims to Further Strengthen Company’s Position in
Critical On-Road Marketplace
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the creation of a
new On-Road Vehicle Division to help continue its drive toward the
company’s vision and objectives which include establishing a significant
on-road presence. The new division takes the existing skills and assets
within the company and aligns them in a way that maximizes cohesive and
strategic growth for Victory Motorcycles and other on-road products and
brands.
“Victory Motorcycles, with its strong brand recognition and customer
loyalty, will be one of the major components of our new On-Road Vehicle
Division that we’re announcing today,” said Scott Wine, Chief Executive
Officer of Polaris Industries. “This new division will support our
efforts to be the ‘Best in Powersports’ and continue building on our
strong on-road brands and global market leadership in this critical
space.”
Several organizational changes that set the foundation of the On-Road
Vehicle Division are also being announced today. Intended to further
strengthen the company in the on-road marketplace, these management
moves put the new division in the best possible position to sustain
profitable growth and long-term success.
First among these changes is Mark Blackwell’s new role as Vice President
of Motorcycles. Blackwell has spent the past eight years leading
day-to-day operations for Victory Motorcycles and played a key role in
building the brand from an unknown startup into a highly regarded
competitor considered to be among the worlds finest. Under Blackwell’s
leadership, Victory has expanded into markets outside the United States
and is well-positioned for long term success. Blackwell’s deep knowledge
of products and markets in the motorcycle industry will continue to be
an invaluable asset to the Victory brand and all other on-road vehicles.
Mike Jonikas, currently Vice President, Sales & Corporate Marketing has
been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President of the
On-Road Vehicle Division. In this position, Jonikas will be responsible
for rapidly growing the on-road business for Polaris including strategic
direction for Victory Motorcycles, and any on-road adjacencies we may
add in the future. Jonikas brings proven skills to the On-Road Vehicle
Division that include leading business teams to profitable growth,
developing new markets and successful commercialization of new products.
He will continue to lead our Sales & Corporate Marketing teams.
