Polaris Industries acquired Kolpin Outdoors in April 2014, bringing one of the powersports industry’s oldest ATV and UTV accessory companies into its growing parts, garments and accessories business.
The acquisition was more than a short-lived expansion announcement. Kolpin remains connected to Polaris today, with products ranging from storage boxes and gun boots to plows, winches, tool mounts and other accessories for ATV and UTV owners.
Why Polaris Acquired Kolpin Outdoors
Polaris announced the acquisition on April 1, 2014. Kolpin was a privately held Wisconsin company that developed branded, private-label and original-equipment accessories for the powersports and outdoor markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
At the time, Polaris was expanding beyond complete vehicles and placing greater emphasis on its parts, garments and accessories business. Kolpin gave Polaris an established aftermarket brand with products that reached ATV and UTV riders, hunters, ranchers, landowners and other outdoor users.
Kolpin also brought established retail and distribution relationships that extended beyond the Polaris dealer network. That gave Polaris another way to reach customers shopping for universal-fit accessories rather than products designed exclusively for one Polaris vehicle.
Kolpin Continued as a Standalone Brand
Following the acquisition, Polaris said products would continue to be sold under the Kolpin and Cycle Country names. Kolpin was not absorbed into the Polaris-branded accessory lineup or immediately renamed.
This distinction remains important. Kolpin accessories have historically served owners of numerous ATV and UTV brands, not only Polaris customers. Maintaining the Kolpin identity allowed it to remain a broad aftermarket supplier while benefiting from Polaris engineering, product-development and distribution resources.
A Powersports Accessory Company Dating to 1943
Kolpin traces its history to 1943, when the company began as a small sewn-goods operation in central Wisconsin. It eventually became closely associated with powersports through products such as its Gun Boot cases and mounting systems.
The company expanded into a much wider assortment of equipment for ATV and UTV owners, including:
- Vehicle storage boxes and cargo systems
- Gun boots, brackets and equipment mounts
- Snowplows and related mounting hardware
- Winches and recovery equipment
- Tool and utility racks
- Windshields, roofs and cab accessories
- Hunting and land-management equipment
That combination of recreational, agricultural and hunting products complemented Polaris vehicles such as the Sportsman ATV and Polaris RANGER.
Where Kolpin Fits Within Polaris Today
Kolpin remains part of the broader Polaris accessory portfolio. Polaris continues to feature Kolpin alongside other accessory brands, while the company also identifies Kolpin Outdoors among its subsidiaries.
Sales and customer-service operations for Kolpin, Pro Armor and Trail Tech have also been brought together under Apex Product Group. The brands retain their individual identities while sharing some administrative and distribution resources.
The Kolpin purchase was one piece of a larger Polaris strategy to build a group of specialized aftermarket brands. Other additions included Pro Armor, which expanded Polaris further into performance UTV accessories, and 509, a snowmobile helmet, goggle and riding-gear company acquired in 2016.
Why the 2014 Kolpin Acquisition Still Matters
The acquisition helped Polaris participate in more of the ATV and UTV ownership cycle. Instead of generating revenue only when a customer purchased a vehicle or a Polaris-branded accessory, the company gained an established aftermarket business selling products for work, recreation, hunting and vehicle transport.
It also demonstrated how Polaris was using acquisitions to assemble a diverse accessory portfolio. Kolpin served the utility and outdoor market, Pro Armor concentrated more heavily on performance and vehicle customization, and other brands addressed riding apparel, electronics and specialized equipment.
More than a decade later, Kolpin remains a recognizable name in ATV and UTV accessories. That continued presence makes the 2014 purchase a meaningful part of Polaris history rather than merely an outdated corporate announcement.
Originally published in April 2014. Updated with additional historical background and information about Kolpin’s current place within Polaris.
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