SW-MOTECH’s New USA Division Holds Grand Opening Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The City of Portland welcomed the official launch of SW-MOTECH USA’s new headquarters in NW Portland with a small ribbon-cutting ceremony. Doing the cutting honors was SW- MOTECH USA’s Vice President, Sarah Schilke, who is leading the U.S. efforts. SW-MOTECH USA’s CEO Jürgen Swora kicked things off, offering up congratulations and encouragement from Germany via video. A representative from Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office provided a supportive address to the small gathering.

In addition to the four full-time staff positions at SW-MOTECH, a warehousing and fulfillment contract was awarded to Source Logistics. All online ordering operations are filled directly out of Portland facilities and Source Logistics’ Business Development Director, Sandy Ladieri also spoke a few words.

Additional esteemed guests included representatives from urban development organization, Prosper Portland, Honorary Consul of Germany to Oregon and the NW Business Association.

SW-MOTECH is proud to base U.S. operations out of Portland, OR, in large part due to the enthusiastic motorcycle culture in the city. This was on full display at the event with the master of ceremonies role performed by Shahin Alvandi, GM of Moto Corsa, a local Ducati dealership and very nearly SW-MOTECH’s next door neighbor. Local industry and guests, many who rode motorcycles to the event, were treated to Portland’s own See See Motor Co.’s baristas serving espresso drinks from their Ural sidecar coffee rig.

Link: SW-MOTECH

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.