BRP Inc.

BRP Inc.
Company type	Public
Industry	Powersports, recreational vehicles manufacturing
Founded	2003
Founder	Joseph-Armand Bombardier (heritage)
Headquarters	Valcourt, Quebec, Canada
Area served	Worldwide (over 100 countries)
Key people	José Boisjoli (CEO, retiring 2025)
Products	Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, motorcycles, personal watercraft, Rotax engines
Number of employees	5500 (2009)
Website	www.brp.com

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article BRP Inc., available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025

BRP Inc. (Bombardier Recreational Products) is a Canadian company specializing in the manufacture of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and personal watercraft. Established in 2003 following the divestiture of Bombardier Inc.'s Recreational Products Division, the business was acquired by investors including Bain Capital, the Bombardier-Beaudoin family, and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. BRP's heritage dates back to Bombardier Inc., founded in 1942 by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in Valcourt, Quebec.

By 2009, BRP had a workforce of approximately 5,500 employees and reported revenues surpassing US$2.5 billion in 2007. The company maintains production facilities throughout Canada, the United States (including Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Arkansas, Michigan, and Minnesota), Mexico, Finland, and Austria. Its product line is distributed to over 100 countries worldwide, with direct sales channels operating in select markets.

BRP's prominent brands encompass Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Can-Am ATVs and motorcycles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, alongside Rotax engines. Notably, the Ski-Doo was ranked 17th on CBC Television's The Greatest Canadian Invention list in 2007.

History

In January 1934, a severe blizzard hindered Joseph-Armand Bombardier from reaching a hospital in time to save his two-year-old son Yvon, who succumbed to appendicitis complicated by peritonitis.

As a mechanic with a vision to create a vehicle that could "glide over snow," Bombardier designed and built the first snowmobile in 1935 within a repair shop located in Valcourt, Quebec. This innovation featured a drive system that transformed mobility across snowy and marshy landscapes.

By 1937, he had patented and sold twelve seven-passenger "B7" snow coaches employed in rural Quebec for transporting children, mail, freight, and serving as ambulances. In 1941, Bombardier established a manufacturing facility in Valcourt.

The company L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée ("Bombardier Snow Car Limited") was officially founded in Valcourt in 1942. During World War II, government rationing required customers to justify the necessity of snowmobiles before purchase. Consequently, the firm shifted focus toward supporting the arms industry.

In 1947, army-operated snowmobiles supplied isolated radio stations during a Saskatchewan blizzard, garnering favorable media attention.

Following a nearly 50% decline in sales after the Government of Quebec mandated road snow clearing in 1948, Bombardier diversified into tracked snowplows for municipal sidewalks and developed all-terrain vehicles for sectors such as mining, petroleum extraction, and forestry. These vehicles featured interchangeable front skis that could be replaced with wheels for use on paved roads. By 1951, wooden bodies were replaced with sheet steel constructions powered by Chrysler flathead six-cylinder engines equipped with three-speed manual transmissions.

In the early 1950s, Bombardier engineered one- and two-passenger snowmobiles. A significant advancement arrived in 1957 with the creation of a robust one-piece molded rubber continuous track, enhancing traction for lightweight vehicles. The "Ski-Dog" was designed to replace dog sleds used by hunters and trappers; however, in 1958 the name "Ski-Doo" was inadvertently painted on the prototype and subsequently adopted as the brand name.

These swift snow vehicles quickly gained popularity as a new winter sport centered around Quebec. Sales escalated from 225 Ski-Doos during the initial year to 8,210 units four years later. Bombardier tempered marketing efforts to protect other product lines while maintaining market leadership over competitors such as Polaris Industries and Arctic Cat.

The company established Roski in Roxton Falls, Quebec in 1963 to produce composite components for Ski-Doo models. The decade also saw the introduction of V-8 engine options.

On February 18, 1964, J. Armand Bombardier passed away from cancer at age 56. He had personally overseen all company operations and research activities. Leadership transitioned to his sons and sons-in-law who decentralized management structures, implemented computerized inventory and accounting systems, expanded distribution networks, and initiated sales incentive programs. That year also included a survey sent to Ski-Doo owners to evaluate product usage. Germain Bombardier assumed control but resigned in 1966 following family disputes; thereafter, Laurent Beaudoin, Armand’s son-in-law, served as president until 1999.

The organization was renamed Bombardier Limited in 1967. By this time snowmobiles had become widely utilized by Inuit communities.

In 1968, after acquiring licensing rights from inventor Clayton Jacobson II, Bombardier developed the Sea-Doo personal watercraft.

Bombardier went public on January 23, 1969 with listings on both the Montreal Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange.

Between 1969 and 1970 design enhancements included larger rectangular windows for improved interior lighting alongside Chrysler Industrial 318 engines coupled with automatic Loadflite transmissions.

In 1970 Bombardier acquired Austrian engine manufacturer Rotax. The following year it purchased competitor Moto-Ski. Also in 1971 launched Operation SnoPlan aimed at promoting snowmobile safety amid increasing accident rates.

Throughout the 1970s Bombardier expanded its portfolio to include production of Can-Am motorcycles powered by Rotax engines.

By 1990 the original Ski-Doo product line had become unprofitable due to losses and excess inventory levels.

In 2001 Bombardier acquired trade names Evinrude Outboard Motors and Johnson Outboards from the bankrupt Outboard Marine Corporation.

The Recreational Products Division was sold by Bombardier Inc. in 2003 for $875 million to investors including Bain Capital (50%), the Bombardier Family (35%), and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (15%).

In May 2025 CEO José Boisjoli announced plans to retire before year-end.

Snowmobiles

Prior to focusing on tracked vehicles, Joseph-Armand Bombardier experimented with propeller-powered aerosleds but soon redirected his efforts toward developing track-based machines. Initially, the company manufactured half-track vehicles comparable in size to trucks, equipped with skis at the front and caterpillar tracks at the rear, specifically engineered to endure the severe winter conditions of Canada. During World War II, Bombardier provided half-tracks to the Canadian Army. Subsequently, the firm introduced the Muskeg tractor—an all-tracked, heavy-duty vehicle designed for demanding tasks in logging and mining operations within extreme environments such as deep snow and muskeg terrain.

The track system employed by the company consisted of rubber belts connected into continuous loops, featuring internal guides and external cleats (grousers), driven by sprocket wheels. Early designs used two belt tracks; later versions incorporated wider tracks with additional belts to enhance flotation over deep snow surfaces.

This foundational research into track technology paved the way for Bombardier to develop compact continuous-rubber tracks suited for lightweight snowmobiles accommodating one or two riders, fulfilling the founder’s original vision. Bombardier emerged as a pioneer in the snowmobile industry and maintained a strong market presence even after international competitors entered during the late 1960s.

Between the 1940s and early 1970s, Bombardier produced a series of highly successful snowcat models, most notably the B12 (with 12 seats) and C18 (with 18 seats). Both featured extended rear tracks combined with front skis for steering control and could achieve speeds exceeding 30 mph—significantly faster than many rivals’ models that typically maxed out around 20 mph. These vehicles were widely utilized as school buses, mail carriers, and emergency transport primarily across northern regions of the US and Canada, operating mostly on flat surfaces like frozen lakes and roads. Over 3,000 units of the B12 and C18 were manufactured, predominantly serving North American customers.

Nevertheless, the front-ski configuration limited their off-road performance in deep snow or rugged terrain. This limitation, coupled with evolving snowplowing techniques from the 1950s onward, contributed to decreased demand for these models. Eventually, dual- and quad-track snowcats replaced them in more challenging environments. Despite this shift, B12 units continue to be employed today for large-scale ice fishing activities in northern Canada.

Among key competitors were Sweden’s Aktiv Snow Trac ST4—which sold over 2,000 units worldwide until production ceased in 1981—and US-based manufacturers Thiokol and Tucker Sno-Cat. Tucker Sno-Cat evolved into a leading global producer of large commercial and exploration vehicles headquartered in Medford, Oregon. Thiokol was known for popular models such as Imp, Super Imp, and Spryte but discontinued operations in 2000 after several ownership transitions under the Logan Machine Company name.

Development of the small snowmobile

Armand Bombardier aspired to create a swift, lightweight snowmobile capable of carrying one or two passengers. After concentrating on other tracked vehicles during the early 1950s, he revived this initiative by the end of that decade as smaller, more efficient engines became available. Collaborating with his son Germain, they developed multiple prototypes that culminated in Bombardier’s first snowmobile sale in 1959.

Originally intended to carry the name "Ski-Dog" as a practical alternative to dogsleds, a typographical error resulted in the brand being called "Ski-Doo." This product rapidly ignited a new winter sport centered around Quebec. In its debut year, Bombardier sold 225 Ski-Doos; within four years, sales surged to 8,210 units. Although sales grew quickly, Armand remained cautious about diverting focus from all-terrain vehicles and deliberately limited Ski-Doo marketing efforts to maintain balanced company priorities. Nonetheless, Bombardier’s snowmobiles earned a stronger reputation than competitors Polaris and Arctic Cat. In 1971, Bombardier expanded Ski-Doo’s market presence by acquiring Moto-Ski to reduce competition.

By the mid-1990s, Ski-Doo’s lineup—including models such as Formula III, Mach 1, and Mach Z—featured Rotax engines. Contrary to popular belief, not all Ski-Doos utilized rotary valve engines; only select two-cylinder Rotax engines incorporated rotary valves and were generally liquid-cooled. Other variants employed piston port (2-stroke) induction systems cooled by fans. In 1994, Ski-Doo introduced the Summit model—the brand’s first snowmobile specifically engineered for mountain riding. The brand sustained competitive performance in racing events like Sno-X and hill-climbing competitions. Innovations continued with the launch of the ZX aluminum chassis in 1999, which offered reduced weight and enhanced suspension suited for sno-cross racing success. The introduction of the REV chassis in 2003 shifted rider positioning forward—a design approach that influenced industry trends. Further refinement came with the XP chassis in 2008, which significantly decreased weight while achieving power-to-weight ratios below three pounds per horsepower on Summit models.

For the 2017 season, Ski-Doo unveiled its most powerful engine to date: the Rotax 850 cc "Etec," delivering 170 horsepower—an increase of ten over its predecessor—while consuming 40% less oil and providing throttle response that was 30% faster. Combined with the new SP chassis—which moves riders further forward while reducing weight compared to the previous XP chassis—this configuration positioned the 2017 Ski-Doo MXZ models among the highest-performing snowmobiles available on the market today, capable of exceeding speeds of 120 mph.

Motorcycles and ATVs

During the 1970s, Bombardier introduced the Can-Am line of off-road competition motorcycles, powered by Rotax engines ranging from 125cc up to 800cc. These motorcycles garnered notable racing achievements, such as Gary Jones securing the 1974 AMA 250cc motocross national title. In 1983, Bombardier granted a license for the Can-Am brand to Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles in the United Kingdom, with production ceasing in 1987.

By 2007, Bombardier rebranded its all-terrain vehicle lineup as Can-Am Off-Road, presenting seven ATV models: Outlander, Renegade, Commander, Maverick, DS, Traxter, Quest, and Rally. The Traxter and Quest models, now discontinued, featured 500cc and 650cc engines respectively; the Rally, equipped with a 200cc engine, has also been phased out.

The Outlander serves as a utility ATV available with diverse engine configurations including single-cylinder variants of 400cc and 450cc, as well as V-Twin engines spanning from 500cc to 1000cc. This range includes the two-rider Outlander MAX and the mud-focused Outlander X-MR. The Renegade line offers V-Twin engines between 500cc and 1000cc, with the X-XC trim specifically designed for cross-country racing. Similarly, the Outlander 800R X-XC model adopts this competition-oriented trim for both trail riding and racing applications.

The XT-P trim incorporates features such as a front sway bar and beadlock wheels. In 2012, Can-Am expanded its lineup by adding a 1000cc engine option to both the Outlander and Renegade series. The DS model is offered with four engine sizes—450cc, 250cc, 90cc, and 70cc—with a previously available 650cc variant now discontinued; "X" trims exist for both DS-450 and DS-90.

Introduced in 2010, the Commander side-by-side vehicle comes equipped with either an 800cc or 1000cc engine across trims including XT, X, and LTD (Limited). Available upgrades encompass enhanced wheels, winch systems, protective bumpers, advanced gauges, steering wheel enhancements, upgraded seating, beadlock wheels, air ride suspension technology, an audio system compatible with iPod adapters, and integrated GPS navigation.

All Can-Am ATVs except for the DS-70 and DS-90 are powered by four-stroke Rotax engines. The Maverick side-by-side was developed to rival the Polaris RZR XP 900 and features an updated 1000cc V-Twin Rotax engine delivering 101 horsepower through improved airflow management. As of February 2014, six Maverick configurations are available: Base, XRS, XRS DPS, XMR, X ds, and X ds Turbo—the last of which includes the industry's first factory-installed turbocharged engine that elevates power output to 121 horsepower.

Invention of the three-wheeled roadster

In 2007, BRP unveiled its first on-road vehicle under the Can-Am brand: the three-wheeled roadster known as the Spyder. This model combined elements of motorcycles with roadster styling. A Guinness World Record was established in 2010 when 438 Can-Am Spyders participated in a parade held in Magog, Quebec. Later in 2018, BRP expanded its three-wheeler offerings by launching the Can-Am Ryker as a more accessible alternative to the Spyder.

Sailboats

Starting in the 1970s, Bombardier manufactured various sailboat models including the Invitation (15-foot hull length), Bombardier 3.8 (12.5-foot), Bombardier 4.8, and the Bombardier 7.6 keelboat.

Diversification

Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, Bombardier broadened its product portfolio by entering railway and aerospace sectors, ultimately transforming into the global enterprise known today as Bombardier Inc.

Restructuring

In 2003, Bombardier separated its original snowmobile and tracked utility vehicle segment into an independent entity, transferring majority ownership to Bain Capital. While continuing to produce two-stroke and four-stroke engines for multiple sectors through its Rotax division, BRP is primarily recognized for its consumer recreational products.

BRP’s current product lineup includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, jet boats, and Evinrude outboard motors—acquired from Outboard Marine Corporation. Since 2007, the Johnson outboard motor brand has been gradually phased out in favor of Evinrude; however, Johnson products remain supported with parts and service.

In December 2004, BRP divested its industrial vehicles division, which encompassed tracked vehicles such as snowcats and utility tractors, selling it to Camoplast based in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

To enforce territorial dealership agreements, BRP limited U.S. ATV dealers from selling to Canadian customers in October 2007. Consequently, warranty coverage was voided for Canadian buyers who purchased through U.S. dealers due to notable pricing differences.

Amid declining global marine market demand, BRP withdrew from the sport boat segment in September 2012, leading to roughly 350 job cuts including those at its Benton, Illinois facility.

On May 29, 2013, BRP launched an initial public offering of 12.2 million subordinate voting shares priced at $21.50 each, generating approximately $262 million used primarily to reduce debt. The company’s stock is now publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

On May 27, 2020, BRP announced it would discontinue production of its Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines, repurpose its Sturtevant plant, and close Alumacraft operations located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Additionally, BRP entered into an agreement with Mercury Marine to provide outboard engines and support for its boat brands.

Bombardier Museum

The Museum of Ingenuity J. Armand Bombardier in Valcourt, Quebec, honors Joseph-Armand Bombardier’s contributions and the evolution of the snowmobile industry. Founded in 1971 and renovated in 1990, the museum exhibits Ski-Doo models, industrial designs, and literature significant to snowmobile enthusiasts.

The museum also preserves the original garage where the first snowmobile was constructed; this structure was relocated near the Bombardier Recreational Products manufacturing facility in Valcourt.

External links