Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/730410
8 • October 3, 2016 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com warehouse with product, and we'll have pur- chase orders from there," MTA national mar- keting manager Jeff Laird said. "We're growing our footprint and cutting down the shipping times to certain regions and creating new ter- ritories within the U.S." Vendors and reps from all over North Amer- ica converged on the Anaheim, California, site from Monday through Thursday, and many brought their families to visit Disneyland on all or parts of Friday through Sunday. During the week of meetings, the attend- ees received more good news when it was announced that Yoshimura R&D had signed on as a vendor. The exhaust system manufac- turer provided two charter buses that picked up attendees at the hotel and shuttled them to Yoshimura factory headquarters in nearby Chino, California, for a factory tour. An In-N- Out Burger truck greeted them for dinner. "We got to tour the manufacturing, racing and R&D facility, and basically enjoy their company and have open discussions with them," Laird said. "It was nice to pick up a brand that put so much into their launch." James Paladino, CEO of Motovan Corpora- tion/MTA Distributing, greeted the 60 vendors, along with over 100 team members consist- ing of sales reps from the U.S. and Canada, as well as marketing and purchasing staff. Greg Blackwell, president of MTA Distributing, also shared an overview of the company's growth. Laird said the format allowed vendors to set up shop for only one day in the exhibit space. Most vendors opted for 10-foot-by-10- foot booths. "We rented out two halls, so that one was getting set up for the next day between 3-7 p.m., while the meetings were going on in the other room," Laird said. "It worked out great." House brands such as ZOX, Olympia and SHOT were well received. SHOT's chief designer traveled from the brand's European headquarters in France to meet with reps. With the additional vendors coming on board, MTA continues to add staff. Three sales reps were hired a week prior to the show. In 2016, the marketing department has gotten a boost with the hiring of a marketing coordinator, SHOT brand manager and web programmer. "A lot of dealerships are wanting to do business with us, with all the changes that are happening in the market. It's nice to see deal- ers looking for different options," Laird said. "We've also had a lot of vendors reach out to us, so we've been selective to make sure they're the right fit for us and we're the right fit for them. We've picked up a lot of brands lately that complement our existing line." Among those are UFO Plastic, Torc1 Rac- ing, TM Designs, TOM TOM, LIQUI MOLY, Bark Busters and C&L Group (Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Vertex Pistons, etc.). "We're trying to get our portfolio fully built to where we have a lot do offer the dealerships," Laird said. "We're going in with great programs, and we're going to have shorter shipping times as we keep looking to improve warehouses. We're starting to get our feet underneath us as we head in the right direction, whereas before we were running wide open. Now we've hired so many people recently that we can focus on what we need to do." PSB MTA MEETING CONTINUED FROM THE COVER Motovan/MTA announced the exclusive dis- tribution of SIXS original carbon sportswear. For the first time since the brand's launch, SIXS undergarments will be available in the North American market. SIXS has been a leader in the technical undergarment industry across Europe for many years. The company's patented technolo- gies allows for a comfortable riding experience by protecting skin from excessive perspiration. The technical fabric consists of a unique carbon fiber weave, which has the ability to remove perspiration from skin and bring it to its quick drying surface. This ensures that cold and dampness remain far from the skin and reduces fatigue while eliminating unpleasant odors. SIXS technical garments have been devel- oped for assisting athletes in reaching top performance while also contributing to top comfort. All products are 100 percent designed and produced in Italy. ''I am convinced that the North American powersports enthusiasts will embrace the premium qualities of our product and unique characteristics that make SIXS product a must have for any person who rides,'' said Dr. Paolo Mosti, OEM and export manager at SIXS. The 2017 SIXS Original Carbon Sports- wear lineup will be available via MTA/Moto- van this fall at powersports dealers throughout North America. LIQUI MOLY ADDED, TOO Also, MTA Distributing announced the exclusive distribution of LIQUI MOLY oil and additives line from Germany. LIQUI MOLY's line of products for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs and snowmobiles will now be distributed nationwide. "LIQUI MOLY supplies supreme top qual- ity products from Germany," said Sebastian Zelger, export director N.A. at LIQUI MOLY. "We offer more than just oils. Our line includes a complete range of chemical products, such as additives and service sprays for motorcycles." LIQUI MOLY is at home in the automotive aftermarket and available everywhere from all major wholesalers. "On the other hand, the motorcycle sec- tor is a world unto itself with its own distri- bution channels," Zelger said. To date LIQUI MOLY has been selling its motorcycle prod- ucts at the regional level. MTA Distributing will now make them available nationwide for the first time. LIQUI MOLY's presence is also reflected in the MotoGP series, where all teams in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes around the world run exclusively with LIQUI MOLY oil, pro- duced in Germany. LIQUI MOLY's commitment to the power- sports industry in North America is shown in the sponsorship of the National Moto America Racing Series and the Canadian Superbike Championship Series. PSB 1. MTA executives James Paladino and Greg Blackwell provided an introduction to the company to kick off the meeting. 2. An efficient setup allowed vendors and reps to make effective use of their time at the meeting. 3. Yoshimura provided two charter buses to bring MTA vendors and reps to its facilities in Chino, Calif. 4. Sena spent time with reps going over the latest features of its Bluetooth communication devices. "We're growing our footprint ..." Jeff Laird, national marketing manager, MTA 1. 2. 3. 4. SIXS TURNS TO MTA FOR DISTRIBUTION