Polaris Spins Off Indian Motorcycle in Major Deal with Carolwood LP

Polaris will sell a majority stake in its Indian Motorcycle brand to Los Angeles–based private equity firm Carolwood LP. The deal includes 900 employees and manufacturing sites in Iowa and Minnesota, as well as a Swiss design center. The move allows Polaris to focus on its core off-road vehicle business amid weaker consumer demand and tariffs. Industry veteran Mike Kennedy, formerly of Harley-Davidson, will lead Indian Motorcycle as its new CEO after the transaction closes in early 2026.

Insight: S&P 500 Industrials moved down 2.6% over the past week, reflecting negative sentiment in the manufacturing sector.

📉 Minnesota Layoffs Hit Key Industries in 2025

Despite a steady 3.6% unemployment rate, Minnesota has seen over 3,500 job cuts this year, led by major layoffs in manufacturing, mining, and healthcare sectors. WARN filings reveal significant closures from companies like HibTac, Centrex, and Smurfit Westrock.
Read the full story at Patch.com ➜

🚗 Stellantis Unveils $13B U.S. Manufacturing Expansion Plan

Stellantis will spend $13 billion to expand U.S. production, launch five new vehicles, and create over 5,000 jobs across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Read the full story at ManufacturingDive.com ➜

📦 Navigating Nearshoring Hesitation: To Move or Not to Move in the Manufacturing Landscape

Uncertainty over tariffs and next year’s USMCA review has many manufacturers hesitant to shift production to North America. While some firms boost compliance to avoid duties, others are holding off on new investments amid volatile trade policies.
Read the full story at ManufacturingDive.com ➜

🤖 Unveiling the Future of Manufacturing: Key Innovations from PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025 showcased cutting-edge automation and packaging technologies. From automatic pallet unwrappers to plug-and-play palletizers, these seven machines highlight the next wave of innovation for manufacturers and co-packers.
Read the full story at PackWorld.com ➜

Insight: Manufacturing output increased by 1.7% from October 2024 to August 2025, indicating strengthening production activity across the sector.

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

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