Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/536070
4 • July 13, 2015 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com www.powersportsbusiness.com Editorial and Sales: 763.383.4400 Subscriber Service: 847.763.9565 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dave McMahon 763/383-4411 (dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Liz Keener 763/383-4413 (lkeener@powersportsbusiness.com) ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kate Swanson 763/383-4412 (kswanson@powersportsbusiness.com) DIGITAL SOLUTIONS MANAGER: Christopher Gerber DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR: Shauna Spencer MANAGING ART DIRECTOR: Dodi Vessels ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Andrea Schneider PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Schmieg PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Cherri Perschmann 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) NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Michael Kula 949/466-7833 (mkula@ridermagazine.com) CEO: Marion Minor SR. VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE & OPERATIONS: Gerald Winkel SR. VICE PRESIDENT/MARKET DEVELOPMENT: Joanne Juda-Prainito VICE PRESIDENT/POWERSPORTS, MARINE, BEVERAGE: Amy Collins AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Tim Morgan SENIOR SALES ADMINISTRATOR: Bernadette Wohlman CONTRIBUTORS: COLUMNISTS: Steve Dodds, Paula Crosbie, Steve Jones, Tim Woodsome CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Marjorie "Shadow" Kleiman, Lisa Pelissier 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/Specialty Information Media, 10405 6th Avenue North, Suite 210 Minneapolis, MN 55441. 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 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Visit www.PowersportsBusiness.com, email customerservice@specialtyim.com, call (845) 856-2229, fax (847) 763-9569 or write to Powersports Business, PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. CANADIAN RETURN ADDRESS: EPG Media & Specialty Information, 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/Specialty Information Media, 10405 6th Avenue North, Suite 210 Minneapolis, MN 55441, 763/383- 4400. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. Powersports Business is a registered trademark of EPG Media & Specialty Information. Copyright 2015 by EPG Media & Specialty Information. 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, 763/383-4400 x2464. Printed in U.S.A. all the great colleagues around me, so we can get out there, showcase motorcycling to America and help people get started riding the right way," van Hooydonk said. "Our com- munications programs have changed with the times, along with the media and an expanding audience that are increasingly accepting of and interested in motorcycling. We've helped with that and, lucky for me, there's never a dull day on two wheels or at the MIC." DEALERSHIP ADDS TWO BRANDS, EXPANDS SHOWROOM Columbus, Ohio-based Iron Pony Motors- ports Group announced the addition of the Ducati and Honda brands to its Pony Power- sports dealership. "The addition of the Ducati and Honda brands to our other 11 powersports brands will make Pony Powersports one of the largest and brand-rich dealerships in the nation," said Iron Pony Motorsports Group president and CEO Chris Jones. Pony Powersports will dedicate 2,600 square feet of retail showroom to new Ducati motorcycles and more than 8,000 square feet to new Honda motorcycles, ATVs, side-by- sides and scooters. "We have made a major facility investment to house these industry-leading powersports brands that not only include showroom space, but also include service facilities, tools, fixtures and certification of our sales and service staff," said chief financial officer Cory Atwood. Iron Pony Motorsports Group continues to develop its 14-acre powersports facility in Westerville, Ohio. "We are pleased to welcome Ducati and Honda to the Iron Pony Motorsports family," said vice president of marketing Frank Lark. "We believe that our 400,000 visitors a year will thoroughly enjoy the diversity of new and innovative products these two famous powersports brands bring year in and year out to the marketplace." Iron Pony Motorsports group has been serving the powersports community for almost 40 years and is made up of the follow- ing divisions: Pony Powersports Dealership (sales and service of new and used pow- ersports vehicles), Iron Pony Motorsports Retail Superstore (sales of PG&A), Iron Pony Direct (e-commerce and mail-order sales of PG&A), Iron Pony Riding Academy (rider training for both new and experienced rid- ers) and EagleRider Columbus (motorcycle rental division). DFK CAB AMERICA ANNOUNCES HIRING OF TIM GOLEMA DFK Cab America Inc. announced that Tim Golema has joined the team to head up the company's dealer direct sales initiative. "I am excited to adapt my automotive and parts industry experience into the rap- idly growing UTV marketplace," he said. "These are customers looking for a quality product, and I could see from the start that DFK is all about pro- viding quality and cus- tomer support." "Tim has a lot of energy and dealer market knowledge to bring to our operation," said Mike Kelly, vice president and general manager of DFK Cab America. "I am pleased to add him to our team with the specific focus of developing and educating powersports deal- ers on the value and benefits of our UTV cab line of products." CHRIS DAWSON LEAVING BRP FOR AIRCRAFT COMPANY BRP Inc. announced the departure of Chris Dawson, vice-president and general manager, Global Sales & Consumer Experience divi- sion, effective Aug. 4. After 17 years at BRP, Dawson has decided to join ICON Aircraft as chief operating offi- cer. "BRP is losing an experienced and trusted senior executive," said José Boisjoli, president and CEO. "Chris' strong leadership skills, his integrity and focus on people development have been instrumental to BRP's success." ICON Aircraft is a manufacturer of consumer-focused sport aircraft based in Cali- fornia and a current BRP customer of Rotax aircraft engines. Until his departure, Dawson will work with the management team to ensure a smooth transition. Dawson will join former Yamaha Motors- ports Group president Henio Arcangeli, Jr. at ICON Aircraft, where Arcangeli is a member of the company's board of advisors. STURGIS HALL OF FAMER RETIRES FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Motor Com- pany's manager of North American event strategy, announced his retirement after 35 years with the company. Piehl won the J.C. Pappy Hoel Outstand- ing Achievement Award from the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in 2012 thanks to his efforts in guiding Harley- Davidson's launch of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) in 1983. Today, H.O.G. features more than 900,000 members. "I've been fortunate to ride Harleys all over the world and to always have a great motorcycle in my garage (that part is not going to change). And the Sturgis Hall of Fame was way beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of," Piehl wrote in an email to Powersports Business. "Personally, I couldn't be more excited. We've got kids living in three different states; we've got a super-fun grand- son who's 18 months old. … So after today, my next chapter will begin. Chapter One was 'Pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming' good. My goal is to make my next chapter even better." In his current position for the past year, Piehl spent the previous four years as director of customer experience. His other titles with the Motor Co. included director of consumer event marketing and director of communications. Piehl has overseen such projects as H.O.G., the launch of Harley-Davidson.com, Jumpstart and the Project LiveWire Experience Tour. HELMET COMPANY ADDS FIVE TO SALES AND MARKETING POSITIONS Schuberth North America, exclusive dis- tributor of Schuberth helmets and Held riding apparel, has expanded its corporate team following exceptional sales and market performance in the last 18 months. Three regional sales managers, an inside sales repre- sentative and a digital marketing specialist join Schuberth North America to service its grow- ing dealer network. "The demand from the market and dealers was exceptional in 2014 and has continued into the first and second quarters of 2015," said Peter Meade, Schuberth North America national sales director. "Adding team mem- bers that exclusively represent Schuberth and Held products will be an advantage to our dealers. We are better able to work one on one to further develop their business and continue the expansion of both brands. I am excited that Held in particular has seen exceptional growth as a new apparel brand and offers deal- ers an alternative to their current lineup for high-end consumers." Here's a look at the latest hires: Jeffery Boaz, South West regional sales manager. Boaz will service Schuberth and Held dealers in the South West region. Boaz is a lifelong rider with more than 20 years experience specializing in motorcycle apparel and helmets in retail and aftermarket, most recently heading up the Venture Heat's Pow- ersports division. Jen Muecke, Great Lakes regional sales manager. Muecke will serve as the Great Lakes regional sales manager. Muecke not only boasts experience as a journalist and graphic designer with the AMA and other motorcycle industry brands, but is also an accomplished road racer and former Sport- bike Track Time coach. Byrum "Chip" Saam, North East regional sales manager. Saam will head up sales efforts in the North East region. Saam's background is in both the automotive and motorcycle worlds, working as a territory manager for REV'IT and with MV Agusta in dealer development. Jennifer DuBourdieu, inside sales. DuBourdieu joins the Schuberth North America team at the home office in Aliso Viejo, Calif. DuBourdieu comes to Schuberth with 20 years of industry experience at Performance Machine, FMF Racing and EagleRider, and she will bolster the sales HOT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 The 2015 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310X helped PWC maintain solid year-over-year growth in May. Sales of personal watercraft, which had increased more than 20 percent for the past year, dropped slightly in May. PWC sales in May stood at about a 15 percent increase on a rolling 12-month basis, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report. PWC sales growth topped all boat segments for the month of May. STEVE PIEHL See Hot News, Page 6 PWC BOOSTS BOAT SALES IN MAY TIM GOLEMA