Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/458425
www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • January 26, 2015 • 5 INDUSTRY EXEC NAMED PROFESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR Kimberly A. Howard, vice president of finance for the MAG Retail and Media Groups, has been named a 2014-2015 Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Profes- sional Women. The National Asso- ciation of Professional Women is a networking community of more than 600,000 members and over 200 local chapters. Howard provides leadership and coordi- nation of MAG's strategic and financial plan- ning as well as the budgeting and forecasting management functions for J&P Cycles, Motorcycle Superstore, Motorcycle USA and Cycle News. She serves as a member of the organization's senior leadership team, participating in the development and execu- tion of the organization's financial manage- ment strategy. Howard supports MAG's mission to build a group of brands and businesses that are rec- ognized for quality, performance and inno- vation to meet the demands of powersports enthusiasts. Within the MAG umbrella is the Tucker Rocky distribution company and premium manufacturing brands, including Performance Machine, Mustang Motor- cycle Seats, Vance and Hines, Küryakyn and more. ANALYST OFFERS 2015 VIEWS ON SLINGSHOT, INDIAN In a research note titled "Leisure, Gaming & Lodging: Our Top 10 Predictions for 2015," UBS Investment Research analyst Robin Farley provides a look at the lodging, gaming, cruise lines and powersports sectors. Powersports garnered the No. 8, 9 and 10 spots in the lineup. Here's how Farley assessed the coming year: "8. Indian motorcycles will continue to grow share in the US superheavyweight mar- ket, following around 1 percent, we estimate that Indian achieved in its first full year in 2014, in our view. 9. We estimate shipments of Polaris' Sling- shot will ramp significantly from Q4 levels of around 800 est units, as we move through 2015E. 10. We believe Polaris' ACE vehicle, which could be described as an ATV with side-by-side features, or like a single-seat version of a SSV, will catch on with the consumer. While ACE may not have been an out-of-the-gate hit like Slingshot, we believe as customer awareness ramps up, this vehicle will benefit from some of the same demographic trends that have driven SSV sales." ACCEL PERFORMANCE GROUP ACQUIRED ACCEL Performance Group has been acquired by MSDP Group LLC, a portfolio company of private equity firm Z Capital Partners. El Paso, Texas-based MDSP's other brands include Superchips, MSD, Racepak and Edge and is known as a global leader in vehicle aftermarket performance ignition and tuning technology. ACCEL, also a prominent aftermarket parts manufacturer, includes Mr. Gasket, Mallory Ignition, Lakewood, QuickTime and Hays among its other brands. "The acquisition of ACCEL significantly enhances our position in ignition technol- ogy and allows MSDP to expand our product portfolio aimed squarely at diehard racing and street performance enthusiasts," said Rick Ruebusch, chief executive officer of MSDP. "ACCEL complements our existing brands, providing us with both increased capability and an unmatched footprint in the aftermarket platform. With this comple- mentary acquisition and ACCEL's impres- sive portfolio of brands, MSDP has an even greater ability to serve our customers with new, innovative product offerings and a higher level of personal service." "The automotive aftermarket is a highly dynamic space with consumers that are deeply passionate about performance, reli- ability and heritage as well as the challenges of next-generation vehicles and government regulations," Ruebusch added. "Adding ACCEL to the MSDP family gives us the bandwidth and brands to ensure that we con- tinue delivering value to our customers and stakeholders." "ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the company's product portfolio," said James Zenni, chairman of MSDP and chief executive officer of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. "Since making our investment in December 2013, MSDP has experienced sig- nificant growth, as well as enhanced its product innovation, brand marketing and distribution strategies. We look forward to the company's continued success with the addition of ACCEL and its impressive collection of brands." HYDE, OWNER OF MT. HOLLY POWERSPORTS, DIES AT AGE 67 Owner of Mt. Holly Powersports dies Steve Hyde, 39-year owner of Mt. Holly Pow- ersports in Lumberton, N.J., died Dec. 29 after a short illness. He was 67 years old. Services for Hyde were private, however, a Steve Hyde off-road trail ride was held Jan. 1 at Atlantic City North Campground in his memory. Also, an informal gathering cel- ebrating Hyde's life was held Saturday, Jan. 10 in Cherry Hill, N.J. Mt. Holly Powersports had been slated to close Nov. 29 "due to unforeseen medical issues," according to the dealership's website. However, the dealership didn't close its doors until Dec. 20, according to Mt. Holly Powers- ports' Facebook page. CHINA TRADE SHOW UPDATE Powersports Business has learned that the annual CIMA Motor show in Chongqing, China, held annually since 2002, will take a respite in 2015. The China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition will next be held in 2016. PSB KIMBERLY A. HOWARD HOT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3