Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/183375
Distributor Showcase PSB FOCUS w Popp said. "We had training one day and their salesmen walked around the show, then they had training the next day and our people walked around the show. We probably cut our expenses in half by doing it this way." SIMILAR COMPANIES A trip to Motovan headquarters in Quebec to finalize a contract for MTA to distribute Motovan's proprietary Zox helmet brand led to Popp mulling the partnership further. "I've done a couple of programs with them over the past 20 years or so. We've both been around for the same length of time; we both come from one person starting the company and making it bigger. The backgrounds of the two companies seemed to be instant replays of each other," Popp said. And while there are plenty of ways to grow the business, Popp realized it made sense to combine forces. "On the flight back, I started thinking about ways to get bigger, and I don't really have the time to get to that size quicker," he said. "And I knew they were in the market to try to do something in the U.S." an, TA, uth urger ne allk at alhis nd ted d if ng Las ds. nd to nd TA systems and batteries. "It's growing and we're really happy where it's going." Popp describes MTA's dealer base as trending toward independents, with plenty of franchise partners as well. "We try to keep everyone happy," he said. Both MTA and Motovan appear to be on the track to bigger futures. With their combined efforts, dealers can benefit from a broader product lineup. "The U.S. dealerships that place an order come through us, and the Canadian dealerships that place and order go through Motovan." As the two distributors have seen from their competition, a bulky lineup of products and reps can bring growth trends. PSB PHOTO BY GLENN HANSEN/MTA MAGAZINE www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • October 7, 2013 • 23 m Patrick Storm of Warn Industries shows a near complete line of Warn products on this unique display machine. STRONG SHOW DEBUT "I couldn't have asked for anything better." That's how Popp assessed the Las Vegas event. MTA hosted 80 vendors and more than 100 dealers. Motovan brought an additional 180 dealers. "We were panic-stricken a little bit, because we didn't want to make any mistakes," Popp laughed. "Motovan did all the planning and arrangements and did an incredible job. All we had to do was hold up our end of it." In fact, Popp was so gratified by the results of the show that he figures MTA might be best served to hold the event every year. "I don't know if we can wait and go every two years," he said. "I'd like to get it moving around so that we go to Southern California or New Orleans or South Carolina. We'd like to get 200 [MTA] dealers to the next one." Popp says the company continues to sign up dealers, and sales are "most definitely" on the positive side compared to 2012. "You get out there against mail order and Amazon and the rest, and you can see the dealers trying. Everyone's seen their profit margins slide a little bit. You hear people say profit margins are up, and I say 'Really? I don't think so.'" to nd nd to mway ge- ces rts ethis ere me isted the to us ere so do SLASHER BRAND GROWING MTA continues to be the exclusive distributor of STI Tire & Wheel. Slasher, MTA's latest house brand, got plenty of attention in Las Vegas. Its lineup ranges from windshields, tiedowns and cargo nets to exhaust the ree PHOTO BY GLENN HANSEN/MTA MAGAZINE PHOTO BY GLENN HANSEN/MTA MAGAZINE iaed s," Kenda's Gus Niewenhous showed off the company's street, moto and ATV tires. P20x27-PSB13-Focus.indd 23 9/25/13 11:26 AM