Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/711372
Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties in late July released details on the company's 2017 NVP Product Expos, and Indy is once again on the show circuit. The Spring show is set for Feb. 18-19 in Indianapolis, the same weekend and city that used to play host to the now-defunct Dealer Expo. "Taking place at the Lucas Oil Stadium, this two-day show is the perfect time and place to start the spring motorcycle season," said the Parts Unlimited and Drag Special- ties press release. The annual Fall NVP will be returning Madison, Wisconsin, Aug. 26-27, offer- ing dealers a change to take a peek at 2018 product and stock up for the following season. J&P CYCLES, MOTORCYCLE SUPERSTORE ADDS MARKETING VP Irving, Texas-based MAG Retail Group (MRG), the multi-channel retail division of Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) that runs J&P Cycles and Motorcycle Superstore, announced the addition of Sean Laughlin as the new vice president of marketing and a part of the MRG senior leadership team. Laughlin is a veteran of the motor- cycle industry and marketer of some of the most valued brands in the world, including Harley- Davidson, McDon- ald's, General Motors and Trek Bicycle. At MRG, Laughlin will oversee brand, creative digital and traditional marketing efforts for both J&P Cycles and Motorcycle Superstore. "Sean is the unique blend of marketing experience coupled with his own motorcycle lifestyle experience," said MRG president Kevin Strawbridge. "He has the passion to carry the current MRG brands forward as continued leaders in parts, gear and acces- sories for our customers as well as the ability to create new opportunities for the brands. We look forward to integrating Sean into our team and supporting the long-term growth opportunities that lie ahead for MRG." Laughlin added, "I sought out MAG as a place to continue my career in the powers- ports industry due to my prior knowledge of their businesses model and solid reputation. I'm honored to be joining this successful team taking these two pioneering and legendary brands to new levels of customer experience and engagement." Laughlin takes over for Scott Hud- dleston, who has transitioned to become VP of finance, accounting & business intel- ligence for MRG. Huddleston retains the general manager position for Motorcycle Superstore as a part of the move. "During the past three years Scott has been instrumental in leading the market- ing efforts for Motorcycle Superstore, along with the day-to-day business operations," Strawbridge said. "His experience, both with the MAG business and his prior expe- rience with companies Harry & David and Eddie Bauer, adds another solid element of the strengthening leadership for the MAG Retail Group." During his tenure with Harley-Davidson, Laughlin's roles included serving as the brand marketing man- ager for Buell; director of marketing for parts, accessories and apparel and director of mul- tichannel marketing strategy. While with the Motor Company, Laughlin was instru- mental in the planning, launch and integration of H-D's direct-to-con- sumer ecommerce launch in 2013. Laughlin graduated from the University of Iowa and then spent 10 years working for marketing agencies on brands includ- ing McDonald's, General Motors and Trek Bicycle. He then moved to corporate market- ing working for VF Corporation, the largest public apparel company in the world, direct- ing the JanSport and Eastpak backpack portfolio. Most recently, he was vice president of marketing for Traeger wood fired grills in Salt Lake City where he led Traeger to becoming the fastest growing grill brand in the U.S. RIZOMA PARTNERS WITH VREEKE & ASSOCIATES Vreeke & Associates has been retained as the agency of record for Rizoma, the Italian com- pany that designs and manufacturers a wide range of motorcycle accessories. FLOE LAUNCHES THREE NEW CARGO MAX TRAILER SIZES The FLOE Cargo Max XRT 8-57 trailer was introduced in 2014, and its sales have been so strong that FLOE is coming out with three new models. The largest model is ideal for even a four-seat sport side-by-side. Wayne Floe's vision of combining a strong, lightweight aluminum frame with a molded, tough polymer Ultra Body is chang- ing the landscape in the trailer market. "In addition to extreme functionality, it was also a criteria for FLOE to deliver a trailer that has visual appeal more common to a sports car," said FLOE president Don Van- derMey. "The sales success of the first model, along with feedback from FLOE dealers and consumer enthusiasm, told us to expand to four models as fast as we could, and that is what we did." ONE INDUSTRIES BRANDS ACQUIRED BY MATRIX CONCEPTS Matrix Concepts LLC and USG Ltd have acquired the assets and intellectual property of Tag Metals and Sunline Components. Matrix Concepts, with locations in Valen- cia, California, and Vancouver, Canada, will handle both brands for motorcycling and USG Ltd of Swansea, Wales, U.K., will develop the bicycle lines. "We are very excited to acquire both of these iconic brands for the motorcycle market and integrate them into our great family of existing brands. We can't wait to develop and share our long term strategy and present our vision for the future," said Eddie Cole, CEO of Matrix Concepts. "The acquisition of TAG and Sunline compliments our existing brand portfolio per- fectly; we're looking forward to helping them achieve their full potential in the off-road market," said Martin Lloyd Evans, managing director of USG Ltd. "We are happy to have Matrix Concepts and USG Ltd embrace these great brands," said Leonardo Pais, CEO of Bravo Sports Corp., the parent company of ONE Indus- tries. "We are confident that the customer will continue to see innovative products under their leadership." SCORPION SPORTS HIRES INDUSTRY VETERAN Scorpion Sports, Inc. announced that Tammy Collins has been hired as inside sales specialist. She will be located in North Carolina and focused on the Southeast Region. Collins is a 20-year industry veteran. She is well known and respected by the dealer community and has a proven track record for helping dealers find ways to be more profitable. "I am excited to have joined Scorpion Sports as inside sales specialist," Collins said. "My primary role is dedicated to serv- ing dealers and finding ways to help dealer- ships be more profitable. It is my objective to become a valued business partner with our dealers. Scorpion is a different business model. I am excited to represent a factory owned dealer direct brand. Scorpion offers one of the most comprehensive and profit- able collections of helmets and apparel in the industry. These are the biggest reasons I have joined the company. I am looking forward to serving our dealers." LUKE NAMED ROCKFORD FOSGATE NATIONAL SALES MANAGER High-performance audio systems company Rockford Corp. has promoted Zach Luke to Rockford Fosgate national sales manager. In addition, Ronnie Brashear, formerly CrimeStopper sales manager, will fill Luke's vacated position as Rockford Fosgate regional sales manager. "Zach is a successful sales manager because he focuses on our customers," said Theresa Anthony, Rockford's vice president of sales and marketing. In his new role as national sales manager, Zach will manage the daily activities of the sales team, while he crafts and implements strategies to meet Rockford's goals for the mobile, motorsports and marine business channels." PSB www.PowersportsBusiness.com AFTERMARKET Powersports Business • August 15, 2016 • 45 DIGEST Parts Unlimited back to Indy with NVP SEAN LAUGHLIN TAMMY COLLINS FLOE's Cargo Max XRT 8-57 has three new sizes, including one that fits a four-seat side-by-side.