Curious question for the guys on the line

[BETHEVIPER]

I wonder if the guys on the line building the sleds have noticed any difference.

one, difference between the viper and cat version specs.

two, difference between the quality of build from the yamaha to the other cats in the fleet

three, the attitude towards yamaha sleds being built on cat line. Many of those guys and gals probably bled green and for years put down yamaha. Now being forced to build them must have made a few people upset.

 

[Yamacat21]

I don't work there but I can say that for me if it came down to it, building red and blue ones sure beets standing in the unemployment line. I think this is a big shot in the arm for A/C in a declining market.

 

[2lapsdown]

I wonder if the guys on the line building the sleds have noticed any difference.

one, difference between the viper and cat version specs.

two, difference between the quality of build from the yamaha to the other cats in the fleet

three, the attitude towards yamaha sleds being built on cat line. Many of those guys and gals probably bled green and for years put down yamaha. Now being forced to build them must have made a few people upset.

You really don't want to know the answers to some of these questions. Look at them in the showrooms, ride them, form your own opinion about the sled. Buy it, or don't buy it. This is the new reality for the Yamaha Snowmobile division.

 

[STAIN]

I had never thought about employee attitude toward these sleds. Very good question. I would like to know the answer to that now.......

 

[cannondale27]

I would also. I would like to see them get performance bonuses. Do a good job=receive more pay. That region has a worker shortage because of the oil boom. They should value there good employees since they could easily find a job paying more. I believe that led to some of the issues Cat has had on the ProCrosses.

 

[BETHEVIPER]

I wonder if the guys on the line building the sleds have noticed any difference.

one, difference between the viper and cat version specs.

two, difference between the quality of build from the yamaha to the other cats in the fleet

three, the attitude towards yamaha sleds being built on cat line. Many of those guys and gals probably bled green and for years put down yamaha. Now being forced to build them must have made a few people upset.

You really don't want to know the answers to some of these questions. Look at them in the showrooms, ride them, form your own opinion about the sled. Buy it, or don't buy it. This is the new reality for the Yamaha Snowmobile division.

I think you completely misunderstood my question.

 

[stingray719]

It has been a VERY long time ago, but I worked in a Yamaha shop throughout high school, then ran an Arctic Cat service department after I got out of the military. At least back then Yamaha people were much more brand loyal as employees and riders. Even back then the Cats came in a box and you needed to alter them to assemble them, Yamahas were pre assembled at the factory and tore down and sent so assembly was a snap.

Fast forward to now and I can tell you my 2014 Cat fit and finish is much better than the 2013/2012 I thought about buying. When two companies both sucessful in a specific area share knowledge common sense dictates you glean what you can from the partnership. Ok, lets go back to the early 70's, Yamaha sells engines to a small company that builds an industry changing chassis and this sled wins everything there is to win in 1972/1973. That sled was a ThunderJet. Look a few years later to the SRX and view both sleds side by side and see where that tech came from, and you all know how successful the SRX of the 70's was. We can only hope this tech sharing reoccurs with this new partnership.

Back on post I believe those that work at AC are very happy with this arrangement, and look forward to someone actully working there responding.

 

[2lapsdown]

There are 2 places where you will hear "those that work at AC are very happy with this arrangement", the PR person at the AC corporate office in Minneapolis, and Totally Yamaha.

 

[stingray719]

There are 2 places where you will hear "those that work at AC are very happy with this arrangement", the PR person at the AC corporate office in Minneapolis, and Totally Yamaha.

I have stated where my opinion comes from, please tell us about your background and expertise in this?

 

[cannondale27]

I tend to agree with 2 lapsdown. Unless there is a reward for it nobody likes to be told they must change anything they are doing for a long time. AC and Yamaha need to make those employees feel appreciated and that is done with both respect and $. Maybe they are in fact doing that. My opinion comes from working in a factory for over 20 years and having it bought and sold at least 5 times. It can be a very nerve wracking and demeaning experience unless benefits of a merger are immediately received by the workers just as they are by the owners.

 

[stingray719]

I tend to agree with 2 lapsdown. Unless there is a reward for it nobody likes to be told they must change anything they are doing for a long time. AC and Yamaha need to make those employees feel appreciated and that is done with both respect and $. Maybe they are in fact doing that. My opinion comes from working in a factory for over 20 years and having it bought and sold at least 5 times. It can be a very nerve wracking and demeaning experience unless benefits of a merger are immediately received by the workers just as they are by the owners.

Point well taken and I agree with you. But what if you had not been taken over, but told what your factory does best will have another companies people that do what they do best combine with you? No takeover, you get to produce a top line product and pick up your game and be the best? You get to produce THIER product on YOUR line?

Having been in the corporate world sine the late 90's I have seen both scenerios and the one Cannondale describe can be miserable but the one I described I saw happen very closely to explained as per Cat/Yamaha and it was a winner for both (was in the computer world).

But then again we are just expressing opinions eh?

 

[YammyRX1]

I wonder if both sleds go through exactly the same inspection and quality system or if Yamaha is dictating certain things based on their experience and AC is sticking with what they have always done? I know having done parts for companies like Toyota and Ford they both have high standards but require different levels of documentation, Statistical Process Control, etc. If I was working on the line and all of a sudden I had 3 times as much paperwork to fill out I might not be very receptive.

 

[cannondale27]

Yes. People are creatures of habit. Change even good change can be very demeaning and scary. Some of those workers poured every bit of knowledge and skills into what they were previously doing. Right down to designing the line itself. Any change will be taken personally by anyone with any pride in what they have done in past. That is why it is important to reward those that never see a end to improvements. Especially if the idea isnt yours (Yamaha) people that can support others ideas and contribute to them are not easy to find. They are a HUGE asset to any company. Worth more than anything in the plant.

 

[Nytro40th]

I just took the tour at TRF on wed the vipers looked good to me. Tour guide even stated the Yamaha reps were very picky when it came to the fit and finish, he even mentioned how some parts had small scratches and the yamaha reps said no that will not do. TRF guide stated that their quality control standards have gone up. Funny thing was there was an additional TRF rep there escorting dealers from Quebec who asked my wife and I where we were from, I advised him from Manitoba and that we came to see the vipers being built as I ordered one, he than asked me how the yamaha clutches were and if I have had issues, I advised that the engine and clutches for me have been good to go, no issues. All in all it was a good tour, and no I was not able to to take pics sorry.

 

[Nytro40th]

The sleds on line were all the red models. Blue ones were previously on the line. They stated that all the viper sleds will be completed in three weeks.