Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575161
42 • October 5, 2015 • Powersports Business ATV/UTV www.PowersportsBusiness.com Polaris acquisition posts 20 percent growth in first half of 2015 BY DAVE MCMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF Hammerhead Off-Road has been under owner- ship of Polaris Industries since February, so we thought it would be an ideal time to catch up with Garrett Laves, national sales man- ager, about the China-based manufacturer of go-karts and UTVs. POWERSPORTS BUSINESS: What kind of percentage growth have you had in the first half of 2015? What is driving the growth? Karts? UTVs? GARRETT LAVES: Our growth has been pretty impressive this year. We are up over 20 percent to date this year with hopes to reach even better growth in the final quarter. With the Polaris acquisition, our brand has become more attractive and better known within the industry. As a result, dealers have added con- fidence in stocking and selling our products, while consumers are seeing and hearing about our products more often. Go-karts are the driving force behind our growth as they are the centerpiece of our business model. UTVs are doing well, too, but go-karts have a mass appeal towards the entire family. With afford- able products, a growing U.S. economy and a more visible brand, we are predicting tremendous growth ahead. PSB: What does your kart and UTV lineup look like for 2016? GL: Although I can't com- ment on future products, with the benefits of Polaris resources and technology you can expect Hammer- head to be coming to mar- ket with innovations very soon. PSB: Are traditional powersports dealers show- ing an interest in Ham- merhead? In what ways? Are you getting into more powersports dealerships? GL: We are absolutely growing within the tra- ditional powersports seg- ment of this industry with the help of Polaris and their dealer network. If I am not mistaken, when Polaris acquired Hammerhead, we were the most read article on the Powersports Business website for quite some time. We are finding that it is much easier to attract powersports dealers when you are associated with the best brand in the industry. Being a part of the Polaris family gives us huge upside by having access to all of the personnel, technology, resources and experience that a company like Polaris has. Polaris is dedicated to helping us grow and they want us to be very successful. PSB: It's only been a handful of months since you were acquired by Polaris. Any noticeable changes to the operations? How has that ben- efitted Hammerhead? GL: There are gradual changes being imple- mented, but both Polaris and our management feel that slow and steady is the best path for- ward. From a sales perspective, there is more thought and diligence as to what and where dealerships are being setup. We want to have dealerships that will carry us year-round and take pride in our products. We are revamping and improving a majority of our processes from quality control to warranty procedures. We have a tremendous partner in Polaris, but we cannot become a world-class organization in just a few months. Basically, we are getting a huge upgrade, but an upgrade that is going to take time to execute. This is a long-term com- mitment by both parties. Hammerhead Off-Road capitalizing on go-karts See Hammerhead, Page 43 Multiple concept vehicles will also be unveiled The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) announced that Gibbs Sports Amphibians, producers of the Quadski — the world's first high-speed sports amphibian — will make its return to AIMExpo this Oct. 15-18 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center for the third consecutive year. Gibbs' will be unveiling three brand-new con- cept vehicles inside the OCCC, while "Quadski Lake" will also make its return to AIMExpo Outdoors!, providing attendees with an up- close demonstration of the innovative Quadski model line. Since it was first showcased at the inaugural AIMExpo in 2013, the Quadski product line has increased in popularity and continues to turn heads on both land and water. On display will be an all-new Search and Rescue model that is ideally suited for the demands of local fire and police departments. This new model is already being put to the test and will be on display for the public to see for the first time at AIMExpo. "The benefit we've derived from attending and engaging with our dealers, members of the media and the general public at AIMExpo has been significant," said Dan Proffer, Gibbs Sales and Marketing manager. "That is why we've chosen Orlando in October as the place to unveil some truly unique concept vehicles. We're looking forward to another successful year at AIMExpo." Manufactured and assembled in Michigan, the latest Gibbs innovations will be on display inside its interactive booth (#2155) on the AIMExpo show floor. The Gibbs footprint will help anchor the Made in America portion of the show floor that is dedicated to putting the spotlight on American companies that design, assemble or produce innovative powersports products in the USA. "The innovative nature of the Gibbs brand is the ideal complement to the vision and platform AIMExpo provides the greater pow- ersports industry," said Cinnamon Kernes, AIMExpo show director. "The new concepts that Gibbs will debut at AIMExpo will certainly attract attention from dealers, consumers and the global media in attendance." PSB Gibbs Sports Amphibians to debut new product at AIMExpo Gibbs Sports Amphibians demonstrated its Quadski high-speed amphibian ATV/PWC at the 2014 AIMExpo. Hammerhead Off-Road has seen a highly successful first half of the year in sales, with growth of more than 20 percent.