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Jan. 23, 2006 – New brands, new suppliers for new year

DALLAS — Texas-based Tucker Rocky Distributing assembled its sales representatives and suppliers here for three days beginning Jan. 19 to attend the company’s annual sales meeting. The event served to educate Tucker Rocky staff on new product scheduled to be offered by the distributor this year.
A total of 88 brands were represented at the meeting, which was preceded by a showcase of new product scheduled to come from Firstgear, an apparel and accessories brand the distributor purchased from Tustin, Calif.-based Fairchild Sports in August.
Tucker Rocky began handling all inquiries regarding Firstgear sales and distribution on Aug. 19. Tucker Rocky had distributed the Firstgear brand for 25 years prior to the purchase. At the time, officials at Tucker Rocky said they intended to “invest heavily to build upon Firstgear’s long-standing reputation as a premium line of leather and textile street garments.”
“All of the elements that have made Firstgear the No. 1 brand in its category — quality materials and construction, attractive new designs with innovative features, strong dealer support, effective consumer advertising and reliable customer service — will remain central to Tucker Rocky’s accelerating growth strategy for the brand,” company officials said.
Suppliers newly added for 2006 include White Brothers, Two Brothers Racing USA, Wheels-4-Tots, BERiK Racing, LBZ and Continental Tire. Also new, and included in Tucker Rocky’s 2006 ATV catalog, are Acerbis, BMC, LRD Performance, i-Shock, Kart Accessories and BlackLine.
Each vendor offered 10-minute product presentations to multiple groups of assembled Tucker Rocky sales representatives.
White Brothers’ products include the Carbon Pro II, E2, MX-4, R4 Mini series and accessories; Two Brothers Racing has a broad range of pit bike accessories; Wheels-4-Tots are mid-mounted training wheels for 50cc off-road two-wheelers; BERiK Racing features four models of off-road riding boot for youth and adults; and LBZ offers a selection of street apparel for men and women.
Tucker Rocky will carry the full line of Continental tires available in the U.S. market. The company anticipates inventory arriving this month and will continue to receive initial stocking shipments through February.
“We have been impressed with Continental’s commitment to gain market share in the U.S. through extensive R&D, which has led to the introduction of several new tire models in recent years,” said Gary Hillier, Tucker Rocky’s senior product line manager. “We feel there is good growth potential with a line like Continental, and we feel Tucker Rocky is in a position to help Continental grow in the U.S. market.”
Concerning Acerbis, Tucker Rocky entered into a distribution agreement late last year with Scott USA to carry the complete line of replacement plastic for all popular off-road applications as well as a full line of headlights and handguards. “There is so much more potential business out there, this is just a great opportunity for both of us,” said Primo Marotto, sales manager of Scott USA.
Italian filter supplier BMC offers standard powersports filters and filters for direct induction models from brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha.
LRD Performance has adjustable exhaust systems for Honda’s 250R, 400EX and 450R; Kawasaki’s KFX400; Suzuki’s LT80 and LTZ400; and Yamaha’s Banshee, Blaster, Raptor and YFZ450.
HydroDynamics USA, Inc. manufactures i-Shock brand product. Originating with suspension components for the pit bike market, the i-Shock brand recently expanded into ATVs, including the Honda TRX450, TRX250 and 400EX; Yamaha YFZ450, Raptor and Banshee; Kawasaki KFX400; and Suzuki LTZ400.
A division of Vialink — a product development firm specializing in industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping and Asian sourcing — Kart Accessories currently offers aftermarket parts and accessories for the Kawasaki Mule, Kubota RTV900, Polaris Ranger, Yamaha Rhino and Yerf-Dog Rover/Scout.
Finally, BlackLine, a trademark of SFI, a 49-year-old company specializing in steel fabrication and custom stamping, offers 52”, 60” and 72” Plow Blade assemblies and an Acutator Lift Frame designed to fit vehicles by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha. Also applicable, Club Car’s XRT1500, Husqvarna’s HUV4420, the JD Gator T Series, Bobcat 2200, Cub Cadet Big Country, Carryall UTV, Toro Twister, Cushman Truckster, EZ-GO ST and Bush Hog Trail.
SUN JOINS TUCKER ROCKY
Tucker Rocky recently tapped former motocross champion Chuck Sun as off-road sales specialist.
“In this newly created position, Chuck will be working directly with dealers in selling and promoting our huge offroad product line,” said Tim Pritchard, Tucker Rocky vice president of sales. “Years of racing at the highest level, matched with his industry experience, gives Chuck the knowledge of what’s really important to racers and riders.”
Over the past decade, Sun served as a regional sales manager for KTM North America, as well as manager of the Husaberg motocross race team of Mike Young and Lance Smail — a team that twice won the AMA Western 4-stroke Motocross Championship Series.
Sun won the outdoor 500cc National Motocross Championship in 1980 for American Honda and was a member of the first U.S. team to win the Motocross & Trophee De Nations (MX of Nations) World Championship in 1981. He was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the class of 2003.
“I’m very stoked with becoming part of such a winning heritage in MSR, Answer Racing, ProTaper products and other select brands,” Sun said. “I look forward to working and riding with the professional sales people of Tucker Rocky throughout the country.” psb

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