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4 • January 27, 2014 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Trio elected to MIC board of directors www.powersportsbusiness.com Editorial and Sales: 800.848.6247 Subscriber Service: 866.238.3237 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dave McMahon 763/383-4411 (dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Liz Keener 763/383-4413 (lkeener@powersportsbusiness.com) SENIOR EDITOR: Tom Kaiser 763/383-4424 (tkaiser@powersportsbusiness.com) ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR: Christopher Gerber SENIOR ART DIRECTOR: Dodi Vessels PRODUCTION ARTIST: Kelsey Houle (khoule@epgmediallc.com) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Schmieg VICE PRESIDENT/TRADE GROUP: Amy Collins NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Allison Gruhn 763/383-4467 (agruhn@powersportsbusiness.com) NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Mark Rosacker 763/383-4433 (mrosacker@snowgoer.com) NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER David J. Voll 763/383-4421 (dvoll@ridermagazine.com) PRODUCTION SPECIALIST: Cherri Perschmann GROUP SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER: Kathryn Knudson Menneto, Little, Schilke to serve two-year terms Motorcycle Industry Council members have elected Steve Menneto (pictured at left), Larry Little (middle) and Sarah Schilke (bottom) to each serve two-year terms on the MIC Board of Directors. A leader in the powersports industry for nearly 20 years, Menneto was the driving force behind the successful New York dealership, Menneto Powersports. He has also held multiple positions with Polaris, including director of North America Sales and general vanager of Victory Motorcycles. Currently, Menneto is Polaris' vice president, Motorcycles, and leads the return of the Indian Motorcycles brand. This year marks Menneto's first term on the MIC Board. As vice president and general manager, Motorcycle Group for Marketplace Events, Little recently spearheaded the start-up and successful launch of the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo). Currently, he's busy working on preparations for the show's second event. Prior to that, Little was senior vice president, chief brand officer, of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.'s Cycle World print, digital and event platforms. Little served as chairman for 10 years and vice chairman for six on the board. This year marks the beginning of his 18th year on the board. Likewise, Schilke is also a veteran of the industry and currently serves as marketing and public relations manager for Schuberth North America. Schilke brings to the MIC Board a wide range of industry marketing experience, drawing upon her former roles as western advertising manager for American Motorcyclist magazine and marketing director and show feature manager for Advanstar Communications. This will be Schilke's third term on the MIC Board. The MIC Board is composed of 12 directors; six are elected and six are appointed by the motorcycle manu- facturers/distributors who pay market share dues. In addition to Menneto, Schilke and Little, the 2014 MIC Board of Directors includes Hans Blesse (BMW Motorrad USA), Steve Bortolamedi (Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.), Russ Brenan (Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.), Jon-Erik Burleson (KTM North America, Inc.), Don Emde (Don Emde Inc.), Frank Esposito (Kendon Industries, Inc.), Robert Gurga (American Honda Motor Co.), Steve Johnson (Tucker Rocky) and Dennis McNeal (Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.). "We're excited that so many talented people have sought positions on the MIC Board, and we're looking forward to significant contributions from all board members as we chart the course for our industry association, " said MIC Board chair Mark Blackwell. "The year 2014 marks MIC's 100th anniversary, and this new incoming board has the talent, enthusiasm and experience to successfully kick-off MIC's second century." PSB GROUP SENIOR SALES SPECIALIST: Bernadette Wohlman PWC sales stay positive in November CEO: Mark Adams SR. VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE AND OPERATIONS: Gerald Winkel SR. VICE PRESIDENT/MARKET DEVELOPMENT: Joanne Juda-Prainito VICE PRESIDENT/OPERATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES: Mary Jo Tomei CONTRIBUTORS: COLUMNISTS: Peter Jones, Neil Pascale, Sam Dantzler, Stennis Prochnow DEALER ADVISORY BOARD: Hooksett Kawasaki-Polaris, Jim Whalley; Hacker's Yamaha & Honda, Rick Hacker; Honda/Polaris of Lubbock, Morris Baker; All Action Water Sports, Ray Leps POWERSPORTS BUSINESS (ISSN #1522-7944) is published 15 times per year – monthly except twice in May and December, the Market Data Book in September – by EPG Media, LLC, 3300 Fernbrook Lane N #200, Plymouth, MN 55447. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Free to qualified members of the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile and personal watercraft industries. Annual subscription rate is $56 per year for U.S residents, $76 for Canadian residents and $96 for residents in other countries. All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Powersports Business, P.O. Box 5858, Harlan, IA 51593-1358. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Visit www.powersportsbusiness.com, email powersportsbusiness@cdsfulfillment.com, call 866-238-3237 or write to Powersports Business, PO Box 5858, Harlan, IA 51593-1358. CANADIAN RETURN ADDRESS: EPG Media, LLC, 4960-2 Walker Road, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J3. Publication Sales Agreement #40012332. EDITORIAL: All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer's risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return. Send editorial materials to EPG Media, LLC, 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55447, 763/383-4400. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. Powersports Business is a registered trademark of EPG Media, LLC. Copyright 2013 by EPG Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher. REPRINTS: For more information on e-prints or reprints from Powersports Business, contact Bernadette Wohlman, 800/848-6247 x2464. Printed in U.S.A. PWC sales growth is in positive shape, continuing another positive trend in the marine market with year-over-year sales growth in the low single digits in November — not moving significantly in the last four months, according to the latest data from the Info-Link Technologies Bellwether Report. Sales of powerboats in the 15-foot and greater category continue outpacing November 2012 by less than 10 percent. This trend started HOT NEWS 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE motorcycle apparel at a reasonable price, and adding Edward to an already experienced and seasoned development team will help solidify our position to do just that." "After looking at several brand opportunities, I felt that Scorpion has the most potential as well as the unique resources to enable them to bring advanced technologies to market in a way that no other company can," Wilkinson said. "I am excited and honored to be a part of such a dynamic and dedicated team, and I am looking forward to bringing consumers a whole new range of groundbreaking and technologically advanced riding gear." Scorpion has spent the last year rebuilding its infrastructure from the ground up and is now poised for expansion. "They have unique supply resources that will enable them to bring a variety of innovative products to market quicker, and at better price points than any of their competitors," Wilkinson said. NEW ENGINEER FOR HIGH LIFTER TEAM High Lifter Products Inc., has announced the hiring of Imack P01x09-PSB2-News.indd 4 in early 2013, accelerated during the summer months and has plateaued around the current just-under-10-percent sales growth mark. Ski boat sales growth is even stronger, maintaining its 10-percent year-over-year improvement that has been a constant since the tail end of 2012. The latest data shows an insignificant dip from September's figure. Outboards are showing similarly positive numbers, with 15-foot or greater outboard boat Collins, an engineer in the company's growing research and development department. The appointment allows engineering manager Brian Smith to focus his attention on larger, long-term engineering projects. After a record year in bringing new products to the market, High Lifter expects to continue to increase its growth in aftermarket parts and accessories for off-road vehicles. Collins will play an integral role in the development and design of new products, including the highly successful Max Clearance line of suspension components and Outlaw DHT Axles. Throughout his 30-plus year career, the Venezuela native has worked in a major engineering capacity for manufacturing companies including John Deere Consumer Products, Poulan/ Weed Eater, Libbey Glass and the Shaw Group. Six Sigma Certified and trained in the methodology of lean manufacturing, Collins also has 20 patents on file with the United States Patent and Trade Office for various products. "Our research and development team is vital to our continued success and future growth as a company," said Scott Smith, president of High Lifter Products. "In 2014, we are continuing to aggressively sales outpacing last year's numbers by approximately 10 percent. That growth is slightly less than the nearly 15-percent growth throughout 2012, yet remains one of the brightest categories in the marine industry. The data is based on new U.S. boat registrations. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (which varies by market segment and time of year). PSB throttle forward in bringing the best products to off-road riders." BRAMMO INTRODUCES RETAIL INCENTIVES Ashland, Ore.-based Brammo, Inc., announced a $2,000 retail incentive on the 2013 Brammo Empulse and a $1,000 retail incentive on the 2013 Enertia Plus. These incentives will ensure that those riders who want to purchase a model year 2013 Brammo don't see the after-tax cost increase by 10 percent simply because the federal tax incentive has now expired. At this time last year, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) successfully sought an extension of the Federal Tax Credit for two-wheel electric vehicles for 2012 and 2013. That extension has expired. Brammo continues to lobby for an extension of the Federal Tax Credit for two-wheel vehicles. "It is widely accepted that federal incentives will help kick start the EV industry," CEO and founder Craig Bramscher said. "Four-wheel EVs, from the Tesla S to the Smart car, receive a $7,500 federal tax credit. Our customers and dealers believe that a 10 percent incentive on two wheel EVs will provide benefits ranging from decreased dependence on fossil fuels to a cleaner environment, and we agree." HARLEY-DAVIDSON PLANT HONORED Harley-Davidson's manufacturing facility in York, Pa., has been named one of seven Best Plant winners by Industry Week. The plant has been recognized for the lean manufacturing overhaul it has undergone over the past few years. About 1,200 union employees work for Harley-Davidson in York. The OEM has been manufacturing bikes there since 1973. The 603,315 square-foot factory had a 57 percent improvement in recordable injury rate in one year, and is 92 percent toward its goal of zero landfill status. PSB 1/15/14 11:52 AM ww M Inn OE Sto son rev co pas fro sto on to D o Do en DX bu tip for shi ind un ing the ma no DX tio the co spe mu pre "D the cu bo sys sur we sea sys att pla to thr ule an sta tou pe kee As en to tem the bil tec try en is sm is rem pla