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Oct. 20, 2003 – IFW not hurt by Eurobike insolvency

Eurobike AG, the publicly traded parent company of Intersport Fashions West, Inc., is attempting to survive insolvency proceedings in Germany, but the California-based distributor of Gericke, Firstgear, Oxtar, Held and Schuberth brands says it is continuing with business as usual.
Eurobike is based in Dusseldorf, Germany, and is the management holding company of 20 retail and wholesale businesses involved in motorcycle clothing and accessories. It acquired IFW in 1999. While a wholly-owned subsidiary, IFW operates on a financial basis independent from Eurobike. Dennis LaBonge, IFW president, says his firm’s operations have remained “continuously profitable” since acquired.
Eurobike initiated insolvency proceedings in July, after negotiations for a financial reorganization failed. The difficulties apparently started in June, when negotiations for recapitalization with a pool of creditors failed. European banks involved with the company initially pledged about Euro 139 million to Eurobike, but then two of the banks, each initially pledging Euro 30 million, decided to terminate their dealings.
When the banks dropped out, the recapitalization effort came up short.
While Eurobike officials say they are confident current negotiations with banks and potential investors will successfully conclude in the near future, they say a failure to restructure will not affect California-based IFW, which would continue operations as an independent company on a financially sound basis.
While IFW appears to be in the clear, other Eurobike subsidiaries such as Hein Gericke Holding GmbH and Paul A. Boy GmbH have filed for insolvency, too.
Weld Ends 14-year Deal with CCI “major differences of opinion,” Weld Wheel Industries, Inc. says it has discontinued its 14-year relationship with Custom Chrome (CCI), Morgan Hill, Calif., and will no longer be manufacturing the RevTech line of wheels.
“We have developed our own line of premium one-piece forged wheels called EVO Motorcycle by Weld Racing and decided to go dealer direct,” Rick Raus, vice president and general manager of Weld’s motorcycle division, said in a prepared statement. “All dealers
who have outstanding orders with CCI should contact them directly.”
EVO motorcycle wheels are available in 15 different styles and come with a five-year warranty on all chrome and a lifetime structural warranty.
In other news from Weld, the firm moved its entire manufacturing, office and warehouse operations to a new 325,000 sq.ft. facility in Kansas City, Mo.
While EVO Motorcycle by Weld Racing will remain at 1245 Crystal, Kansas City, Mo. 64126, as of Oct. 10, all correspondence should be sent to the new address: 6600 Stadium Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 64129
Dealers interested in becoming Weld retailers are asked to call 866/753-4289 or visit www.evomotorcycle.com.
Honda Posts Licensees
Offering yet another way to connect with a brand, American Honda’s motorcycle division recently placed links to licensee Web sites on its homepage, allowing consumers to take a look at the companies behind the manufacturer’s official licensed products.
From the Honda homepage — www.hondamotorcycle.com — click on The Goods in the column on the right of the computer screen, then click Licensed Products. Links to licensee companies are included under Apparel; Graphics; Die-Casts, Toys & Games and Other Products.
Under Apparel, you’ll find links to Fox Racing, Inc., Intersport Fashions West, Inc., Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and Metro Racing.
Graphics includes links to Tapeworks Graphics, Stickerpoint and Throttle Jockey; Die-Casts, Toys & Games directs Web surfers to New-Ray Toys Development Ltd., Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc., Spin Master Toys, THQ, Inc. and Tek Nek Toys International, Inc.; and Other Products links to Wateree Sports Group.
Zamp Adds Distributors
Midwest Motorcycle Supply, Arnold, Mo., and Nichols Motorcycle Supply, Alsip, Ill., have signed on to distribute Zamp helmets obtained from Zamp & Associates LLC, El Dorado Hills, Calif. Midwest services dealers nationwide from Missouri; Nichols distributes out of locations in Illinois and Arizona.
For more information regarding Zamp product, visit www.zamp-racing.com. Dealers interested in Zamp’s helmets can contact Midwest at 800/325-3914 or Nichols at 800/323-4488.
Parts’ 2004 Snow Catalog
Parts Unlimited’s 2004 Snowmobile Catalog is now available. Products range from OEM replacement parts to high-performance running gear, accessories and apparel. Arctiva jackets, bibs and gloves are available, as are new products from Camoplast.
Contact a Parts Unlimited sales rep or visit www.parts-unlimited.com.
KBC MX Race Support
KBC Helmet says it plans to release a new adult-sized off-road helmet called the TK-X Combat Series, to be distributed by Tucker Rocky, MotoVan, and Motorcycle Stuff.
In other news from KBC, the company announced the development of a support program for the 2004 amateur motocross racing season. This program will consist of “multiple levels of support based on the race plans of the amateur riders interested in joining the KBC team,” according to a prepared statement.
Interested riders can send resumes to KBC Helmet c/o Amateur Race Support, 730 N. Mariposa Street, Burbank, Calif. 91506. Resumes must be submitted before Oct. 30, 2003.
Performance NW Expands
Dealer Transport Service, Inc., Salem, Ore., sold its Distribution division to Performance Northwest, Inc. of Silverton, Ore., a motorcycle lubricant and accessories distributor covering the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
“After 20 years in the distribution business, I’ve decided it’s time to kick back and relax a little,” said Dealer Transport’s Jim Hedlund. “The sale also gives me more time to dedicate to the motorcycle assembly division of my company.”
“The acquisition of Dealer Transport’s Distribution business is an excellent addition to Performance Northwest,” said Mike Long, president of Performance Northwest.
Don Christofferson, salesman for Dealer Transport, is going to continue in the business, working with Performance Northwest.
PJH Hires Grey San Francisco
Set to begin the largest advertising communications effort in the company’s history, PJH Brands, Scottsdale, Ariz., hired Grey San Francisco to handle all marketing communications, including advertising, interactive and direct response work, for its more than 50 different motor sports’ products sold in 43 countries.
Grey, founded in 1917, is the largest agency in the U.S. and the sixth largest agency in the world with more than 400 offices in 90 countries.
No specifics were disclosed, but PJH says plans call for heavy print in combination with selective broadcast, point of purchase, and highly targeted interactive electronic media.
P.J. Harvey founded PJH in 1971 and remains company chairman. PJH brands include both the PJ1 line of motorcycle products and the VHT line of automotive products.
EVS Adds Employees
EVS Sports Protection recently made two additions to its team, hiring Shane Schaefer as athlete support coordinator and Midwest accounts manager and Billy Hutchins as East Coast sales manager.
Schaefer most recently was a business management college graduate and previously worked for Clear Channel Entertainment as regional arenacross manager. In addition, Schaefer owns and operates Schaefer Tracks, LLC.
Hutchins was most recently the East Coast sales manager at graphics manufacturer One Industries and has multiple years in sales management, dealership knowledge and racing.
Cobra Bolsters Sales & Marketing
Cobra Engineering, Yorba Linda, Calif., has hired Camron Bussard to round out its marketing team.
“We’ve made a great investment in our production infrastructure, in our new building and machines and in our staff. Now it’s time to do the same with our marketing team,” said Tim McCool, Cobra president. “Camron will report directly to Ken Boyko, and will help him with the planning and execution of our existing, successful marketing programs. In addition, with his help we can now develop other programs we have been wanting to do for some time.”
A lifelong motorcyclist, Bussard joins Cobra from PacifiCare Dental & Vision, where he supported the 300-member sales team through multi-distribution and communication channels.
Schussmans Leave Outerwears
Steve and Sheree Schussman said they plan to retire from Outerwears, Inc. after 25 years.
Steve is the inventor of the Outerwears’ Pre-Filter and Shockwears brand racing accessories. Outerwears Company Inc. traces its beginning to 1979 when Steve created the first Outerwear pre-filter to be used in the dune buggy market. Over the past 25 years, he has expanded the company focus and product line to include circle track, kart, snowmobile, PWC, motorcycle, and ATV markets.
The Schussmans will remain involved with the company on a part time basis for the next year, to ensure the company continues to grow. Responsibility for the day to day operations will be transferred to Jay Garside, president, and Steve Giebel, general manager.

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