Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/592917
www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • November 9, 2015 • 3 HOTNEWS CONTINUED FROM COVER For Jason Chinnock, it is a "welcome back." He worked successfully for Ducati North America for eight years starting as national sales director until he became sales and marketing director in 2009. Chinnock has been working at Automobili Lamborghini America since 2013 as market- ing general manager responsi- ble for the development of the annual marketing plan as well as for communicating market requirements. WELD COMPLETES ASSET PURCHASE OF HIPER TECHNOLOGY WELD has acquired the assets of HiPer Technology, Inc., the largest manufacturer of high performance "super structural" carbon fiber wheels for ATVs and side-by-sides based in Lawrence, Kan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "WELD is excited to add HiPer's products to our portfolio of premium performance lines. This strategic acquisition brings new markets as well as cutting- edge materials and processes to WELD," said WELD president and CEO Norm Young. "We were attracted to HiPer due to its leadership in advanced car- bon fiber composite technology, and shared motorsports success and history." Young says technology from HiPer will be integrated into WELD wheels where it strategically fits. "The HiPer brand is unique and well respected by its customer base and something that we will keep intact. In addition, we have an aggressive plan to pro- vide the resources necessary to continue to grow the brand." HiPer Technology has developed and manufactured products using super structural carbon fiber composite resins by employing proprietary molding techniques. To date, the company's activities have focused on modular carbon fiber racing wheels for motor sport vehicles through its pri- mary consumer division, HiPer Racing Wheels. HiPer's carbon fiber mate- rials and processes produce wheels that are significantly lighter and more durable than the competition. HiPer wheels have won championships in cross-country, motocross, short course and desert racing through weight reduction and the ability to absorb impacts, making them substantially more rugged. HiPer Racing Wheels, pri- marily manufactured for ATVs and UTVs, are the lightest, toughest wheels available in their market segment. WELD manufactures the highest quality forged race wheels for dirt, oval, off road and drag racing, along with wheels for performance street cars and trucks. Each WELD wheel is precision engineered for maxi- mum performance on the street, off road and at the track. CUSTOM DYNAMICS ACQUIRES MBW LED ACCESSORIES Custom Dynamics announced it has completed the asset purchase of the LED accessory line of products from MBW Motorcycle Products. Custom In its second year as the launch to the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo, the Kickoff Networking Reception increased attendance in October in Orlando. Held Wednesday, Oct. 14, the day before PSBI@AIMExpo began, the reception drew more dealers, OEMs, aftermarket suppli- ers and service providers to the Rosen Centre Hotel pool balcony than it did in its inaugural year. Manheim Specialty Auctions sponsored the event, which included free appetizers, beer and wine for those who planned on attending AIMExpo the following day. PSBI@AIMEXPO KICKOFF NETWORKING EVENT GROWS NEWS 6 ... Q3 dealer survey results FINANCIAL NEWS 17 ... Polaris reports Q3 standing 18 ... Crelogix Acceptance Corp. honored 19 ... Christini gains consumer financing OPINION 20 ... From the Editor 20 ... Online at PowersportsBusiness.com PSB: FOCUS Helmets & Apparel 22 ... CDK reports dealer helmet sales 25 ... Thor updates Prime Fit line for 2016 27... Bells Helmets commemorates Caselli 27 ... Sena launches its first helmet ATV/UTV 31 ... Metz: Arctic Cat's fiscal Q2 findings SOLUTIONS 28 ... Steve Jones 29 ... Paula Crosbie MOTORCYCLE 34 ... Q3 brings interest in newer cruisers 35 ... Honda unveils 2016 VR1200X PWC 36 ... New 2016 lineup from BRP SNOWMOBILE 41 ... Polaris.com features SledWrapR AFTERMARKET 39 ... Hot Products INSIDE Kubota breaks ground on hew headquarters Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) broke ground in late October at its new corporate headquarters location in Grapevine, Texas. The three-story office building of approximately 125,000 square feet, plus a 68,000-square- foot research and development facility, will place Kubota's leadership and professional staff closer to Kubota's major markets and its manu- facturing, assembly and distribution facilities in Georgia and Kansas. By centrally locating more of its operations, Kubota will be able to respond more quickly to changes in markets and the industry, and streamline its operations for both dealer and customer benefit. The new headquarters will be an environmentally-friendly, state-of-the-art building designed to maximize work efficien- cies and conserve resources in alignment with Kubota's global brand statement, "For Earth, For Life." "Kubota's more than $50 million invest- ment in this project demonstrates our com- mitment to being here," said Mr. Masato Yoshikawa, president and CEO of KTC. "Cur- rently, we have 123 employees in the State of Texas. And with the relocation of our head- quarters to Grapevine, we will bring more than 300 new jobs to this area in the future. " PSB Arctic Cat adds Piper Jaffray CEO to Board of Directors Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) announced in October the election of Andrew S. Duff to its board of directors. Duff is chair- man and CEO of Piper Jaffray Companies, a NYSE-listed invest- ment bank and asset management firm. He also will serve on Arctic Cat's audit committee. With this addi- tion, Arctic Cat now has eight board mem- bers, all but one of whom are independent. Commented Kenneth J. Roering, Arctic Cat's board chair: "Andrew brings a stellar reputation and keen understanding of board governance and financial oversight. His busi- ness acumen and guidance will be invaluable, as Arctic Cat pursues its strategic plans to ignite growth organically and through bolt- on acquisitions. We are very pleased to wel- come Andrew to the board and look forward to his contributions." Duff became chairman and chief executive officer of Piper Jaffray Companies in 2003. Since then, he also has served as chairman of Piper Jaffray's broker-dealer subsidiary. Duff joined Piper Jaffray in its institutional fixed income sales department in 1980. He was subsequently promoted to leadership positions with increasing responsibility and was named president of the com- pany's individual investor services and capital markets areas until 1996. From 1996 through 2003, he served as president of Piper Jaffray and from 1999 through 2003 was vice chair of U.S. Ban- corp's wealth management group. Duff earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in Med- ford, Mass. He attended the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Duff currently serves on the board of directors of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the Uni- versity of St. Thomas board of trustees and the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business strategic board of governors. He is a longstanding member of the Walker Art Center board of trustees and is an advisor to the board of directors of Great Clips, Inc. Dynamics was founded in 2002 and is known for its motorcycle lighting and safety accessories, and for its wide selection of high quality LED for all brands of motorcycles. Based out of Youngsville, N.C., Custom Dynamics has had a longstanding relationship with MBW Motorcycle Products of West Kingston, R.I., which designs and manufactures pre- mium motorcycle accessories for Victory, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Honda with a primary focus on integrated LED turn signals. MBW motorcycle products holds four design and two utility patents on its LED Fork Wrap- Arounds. All design, develop- ment, and manufacturing will be transferred to Custom Dynamics' North Carolina location. "This acquisition allows us to build on our specialty of design, manufacturing and distributing motorcycle acces- sories that focus on safety. We feel that the MBW line is a per- fect fit to our LED accessories," said Dave Pribula, owner of Custom Dynamics. "For the past 12 years, MBW's focus has been on to develop- ing unique and innovative parts, which combine the need for greater visibility with the desire for a sleek custom look. We at MBW are very excited to have Custom Dynamics taking over the design, manufacturing and distribution of the our product line. With their knowledge and experience in the motorcycle lighting industry, their excep- tional customer service, and their outstanding reputation, Custom Dynamics will be able to continue what we have developed and bring new and exciting ideas to the product line," said Jennifer Waring, president of MBW Motorcycle Products Inc. NORTHRUP PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF SCHUBERTH NORTH AMERICA Schuberth GmbH has named Randy Northrup president of Schuberth North America. The Ger- man helmet manufac- turer also announced the promotion of Doreena Dan- iel from Schuberth North Amer- ica controller to vice president of Finance. "Randy and Doreena are incredibly valuable members of the Schuberth team," said Schuberth CEO Jan-Christian Becker. PSB RANDY NORTHRUP Dealers and industry representatives gathered on the poolside balcony at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. ANDREW DUFF