Dec. 5, 2005 – Distributor Report

MIC Symposium covered business in China
China’s emergence in the powersports business is a hot topic and one that was thoroughly covered at the Motorcycle Industry Council Communications Symposium, Inroads to the Future VII, held in November.
Donald H. Straszheim, chairman and chief executive officer of Straszheim Global Advisors, an independent economics and financial markets research firm focused on China and its increasingly important relationship with Western corporations, was a key speaker at the Nov. 16 symposium in Tustin, Calif. Straszheim discussed the challenges and opportunities when competing, sourcing or partnering with Chinese firms.
“All of us in the motorcycle industry are affected by China’s increasing impact on the global marketplace,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “If you’re in this business, you better know as much as you can about China. Few have as much expertise and first-hand knowledge as Donald Straszheim, and we’re very fortunate to have him at this year’s symposium.”
Based in Irvine, Calif., the MIC is a not-for-profit national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, motorcycle parts and accessories, and members of allied trades. The annual symposium is a gathering of many of the more than 300 member companies of the MIC. Presentations by industry leaders and guest speakers bring attendees up to date on important issues and provide useful knowledge for the year ahead.
Straszheim is the latest of several top analysts to speak at the symposium. For 12 years, he served as the chief economist for Merrill Lynch and Co., the world’s largest securities firm. In 1997, he left Wall Street to become president of the Milken Institute, a not-for-profit, economic and public policy think tank. Last year, Straszheim launched SGA, which now staffs analysts and economists in Los Angeles and Beijing, providing strategic advice on investment and business matters.
Tucker Rocky Picks Up New Product
Tucker Rocky Distributing say the company will begin offering off-road motorcycle and ATV products from White Brothers, now offers BERiK footwear, and has motorcycle training gear from Wheels-4-Tots.
Available in mid December, White Brothers’ products will include the Carbon Pro II, E2, MX-4, R4 Mini series and accessories.
Already available, Wheels-4-Tots are mid-mounted training wheels for the Honda XR50, ZR50, CRF50, Kawasaki KDX50, Suzuki JR50, and Yamaha PW50 and TTR50 bikes.
Finally, visit www.berikracing.com for detailed descriptions and 3D multi-angle views of each boot offered, U.S. pricing information, and a Tucker Rocky dealer locator.
In other Tucker Rocky news, the distributor announced the availability of a 60-page catalog featuring proprietary ATV products from QuadBoss and Ducks Unlimited. TR says the catalog, designed to be easy to use for consumers, should be displayed on the parts counter as well as on all new unit salesmen’s desks.
The book features dual covers, meaning it appears to be one book when it is actually two. The brands are separated into their own sections and QuadBoss is even broken out as sport and utility. Contact a Tucker Rocky sales representative for your copies.
In a final piece of news from the Texas-based distributor, Tucker Rocky plans to hold its annual National Sales Meeting January 19-22 at the Hilton DFW Lakes in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas. Plans call for 70 or more TR and vendor brands to be represented.
The event is designed to educate TR reps on new product. Each vendor/brand will be conducting 10-minute product presentations. Presentations are scheduled to take place from 9am to 6pm Friday and Saturday. Additionally, TR plans to deliver formal presentations regarding new brands such as BERiK and FIRSTGEAR.
Fairchild Clarifies Held Brand Offering
California-based garment supplier Fairchild Sports says a recent announcement by a North Carolina company with the name “Held North America” has caused some confusion among dealers and consumers regarding the availability of the Held motorcycle glove collection.
Fairchild says the North Carolina company recently started selling a limited selection of Held apparel and luggage but is not authorized to offer any Held glove product.
Fairchild Sports — formerly Intersport Fashions West (IFW) — has been the exclusive Held Glove distributor in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean since 2001. The company says it will continue to offer Held gloves exclusively through authorized dealers and retail direct when a local dealer is not available.
Yutaka plans expansion
Yutaka, a Japan-based company manufacturing ATV, motorcycle and automotive parts in South Carolina for Honda, plans to invest $4 million to accommodate new frame and brake lines to serve Honda ATVs.
Yutaka plans to add 14 new full-time jobs and 48,000 sq. ft. to its existing 122,000-sq. ft. facility in Kershaw County. This is the second expansion for the company within the past three years. The company moved to Kershaw County in 1999.
The company is expected to start hiring in the first quarter of 2006, partnering with the S.C. Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT) and the S.C. Employment Security Commission to find employees. psb