Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/379417
www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • September 8, 2014 • 9 same business case, and that segment director is still responsible for their products selling. So just because it's ours and it's our kid and we love it, you still got to get good grades, so it's not a give-me; maybe it's been in the past a little bit," Desjardins said. CONTINUING TO IMPROVE The business restructuring at Tucker Rocky/ Biker's Choice has allowed the company to take a new look at its segments, and though Desjar- dins says he sees opportunities in each, Helmet and Apparel is receiving a renewed focus. "We're developing a Helmet and Apparel sales force to augment our existing one. I think if you look, Tucker Rocky historically has been very good at replacement maintenance, very good at tires, very good at the nuts and bolts stuff. We're pretty good at that. Where there's a lot of opportunity, I think, is clothing and helmets, so we're looking at areas to fill there," he said. In adding to that sales force, bolstering rep numbers for Biker's Choice as MAG brands are introduced, filling segment specialist positions and recruiting talent in other areas, Tucker Rocky is on a hiring spree. But personnel isn't the only area growing. Tucker Rocky is also working on making its facilities more efficient, expanding the Jack- sonville, Fla., and Jessup, Md., distribution centers. "We're adding conveyor systems in buildings to be more effective, which is really customer service accuracy and getting cut off times and next-day delivery. That will allow us to carry more skus in those buildings, which improves our service level with the customer," Courtney said. "So we have access to new brands; we're increasing capacity. And that actually started some- what with Metzeler/Pirelli but has only been made more appropriate by adding MAG brands as well." Tucker Rocky is also about a year and a half into an optimized content Op-Com project that is digitizing its product database, increas- ing efficiencies for Tucker Rocky employees, dealers and consumers. All 2015 catalogs will be published using the Op-Com system, and the eventual goal is to use it to improve Tuck- erRocky.com and TRDealer.com. Though a lot of gears are turning at Tucker Rocky, Desjardins and Courtney say each step is for the long-term health of the com- pany and improving its partnerships with dealers and vendors. "We're obviously bullish on powers- ports," Desjardins said. "We're excited about our new brands, our capability, our new model." PSB TUCKER ROCKY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Southern Tier H-D owners acquire second store within a year New York-based Southern Tier Harley-David- son has acquired Independence Harley-David- son in College Station, Texas. The acquisition marks the third location for Southern Tier Harley-Davidson, with additional stores in Binghamton and Painted Post, N.Y. Last June, Southern Tier Harley-Davidson acquired and renovated American Twin, a dealer- ship in Painted Post. Since acquiring the dealer- ship last summer, sales have increased 46 percent. The newest Harley-Davidson location marks the first store outside the state of New York. Owners Jeff Coghlan and Larry Brooks attribute the success of its dealerships to the customers and communities they serve. "We are very excited about the acquisition of Independence Harley-Davidson. It is a great store and are pleased to announce that it is now a part of our family of dealerships," said Cogh- lan. "We evaluated a number of stores over the past year and based on synergies between our group and their store, we felt it was a great opportunity, and we look forward to assisting them in continued success. The management and staff will remain the same. We will be there to guide and assist the team as necessary, how- ever, they have a great culture there, and we want to keep that in place." Southern Tier, located at 1149 Front Street in Binghamton, opened in 1983. The store moved to its current location at 1152 Front Street in April of 1993 and was acquired by Brooks in 1995. Coghlan, a successful restaura- teur and entrepreneur, bought in as a partner in the dealership in 2006. Since then, the dealer- ship has expanded its showroom, service area, product lines and merchandise significantly to meet the needs of a growing Harley-Davidson enthusiast population. Southern-Tier Harley Davidson continues to invest in its customers and the local commu- nities it serves, a cornerstone of the company's growth and success. "We would be nothing without our cus- tomers, and we are truly grateful for every person that walks in our doors. We develop long term relationships and friendships at our dealerships, and we have a lot of experienced tenured staff here that love the environment and what we stand for as a company," Brooks said. "We will continue to invest in our cus- tomers and give back to the local community at all of our stores. There are a lot of great prod- uct lines Harley-Davidson is coming out with right now that appeal to riders of all shapes and sizes; we are proud to bring them to the areas that we serve." With the acquisition of the Texas location, the ownership group says it will be able to invest more into its local economies as well as continue its philanthropic initiatives support- ing those in need. The dealership has earned several awards from H-D Motor Company over its course of business. They include Promoter of the Year twice, Gold Bar & Shield twice (Circle of Excellence) along with Silver and Bronze Bar & Shield a number of times. Southern Tier Harley-Davidson has been number one in its district for several consecutive months for its customer service scores based on new motorcycle sales experience. PSB Owners add Texas store to dealership lineup "We're obviously bullish on powersports." Hank Desjardins, VP of marketing