In case you missed the slick news at MPN online, Motul USA has a new director of sales and marketing.
Longtime aftermarket industry guy Ron Aparicio says, “It is an honor to be associated with the Motul brand, which is known throughout the world for its development of lubricants and related products for both automotive and motorcycle applications. I look forward to further expanding the Motul brand in North America.” Motul USA president Dave Wolman adds, “We are excited in welcoming Ron to our organization. His proven leadership in sales and his deep involvement in the industry will help guide us with our expansion in the USA.”
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Also announc Sullivans ed via MPN online, but certainly worth repeating is the fact that Sullivans Inc. has a new national sales manager. Already a top salesman for Sullivans and a lifelong motorcycle fanatic, Brandon McDowell is now managing Sullivans’ team of sales associates. “We anticipate that his professionalism and extensive sales experience will be an invaluable asset to the company, ensuring continued growth and the augmentation of our brand’s impact in the marketplace,” says Sullivans VP Derrick Welch.
“Sullivans and its core dealer products, led by Joe Rocket and HJC, have withstood the industry’s downturn,” says McDowell. “I look forward to working with the team in furthering our efforts at being the dealers’ go-to source for their helmets, jackets, gloves and beyond.” Dealer is the operative term: McDowell is tasked with refining communications from dealer to upper management. The goal is to amplify the already strong sell-through of’ brands on the retail floor.
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Heads up! Schuberth North America has hired Acorn Woods for PR and social media support, but is still looking for a couple positions, including a national sales manager (based in California) and a special events/van driver. “We are excited to work with Acorn Woods Communications,” said Schuberth N.A. VP Randy Northrup. “They are skilled marketing professionals as well as enthusiasts who get it.
Their work with other companies with similar goals makes collaboration and promoting the Schuberth brand easy.” Acorn Woods owner Ron Benfield adds, “We are looking forward to working with the Schuberth team to secure a top-tier position for this premium brand in the U.S. and Canadian marketplace. As enthusiasts, we look forward to bringing the Schuberth helmet experience to the world.”
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Bike Week in Daytona marked the move of road racer and road warrior Bryan Desimone from Küryakyn’s consumer marketing manager up to rally operations manager. Dealers can find him overseeing Küryakyn’s big rigs at rallies across the country this season. In his spare time, he will be contesting the Vance & Hines XR1200 road racing series.
Desimone actually started his career in the trenches at a local dealership. He served as parts manager and sales associate at Destiny Motorsports where he doubled unit sales from the previous year in 2006 (and grew another 20% in 2007), so he can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
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Steve Lawler is the new North American brand manager for Husqvarna. “We are heading into a landmark year for this historic brand, and Steve is going to be a big part of bringing Husky back to its premium status,” said VP Brad Hagi.
Lawler is based out of the all-new facility in Murrieta, California (see last issue). “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lawler said. “I think the sky is the limit to where we can go with Husqvarna, and I’m very excited to be a part of the team.”
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Speaking of Husqvarna, the Swedish-turned-Italian brand that is now made in Mattighofen, Austria, has a new international director of racing. Former motocross racer Robert Jonas is now Husqvarna’s head of motorsport. The Austrian National MX Champion in 1998 and 1999, he became a KTM 125cc factory rider in 2000 while also working as a KTM test rider. When an injury curtailed his racing career, Jonas joined KTM’s road racing department in 2005.
“Appointing Robert as Husqvarna’s head of motorsport sends out a very clear message that Husqvarna is extremely serious about all of its motorsport activities, which are a strategic tool for the continued growth of the brand,” said KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “He is someone we trust implicitly and who has the experience and enthusiasm to lead Husqvarna’s growing and vibrant motorsport department.”
Husqvarna will officially compete in the MXGP series, Enduro and SuperEnduro World Championship, International Extreme Enduros as well as the Moto3 class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship.
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Custom Chrome has made some big moves as it expanded its European footprint and promoted Louis Casarez to president/CEO. Casarez has spent the past 15 years with the V-Twin aftermarket industry giant as well as its parent company DIC in Korea.
While in Korea, he served as a Design Engineer for the Motorcycle Division where he was heavily involved in developing RevTech Engine and 6-speed transmission development.
