Update from Tucker Powersports Supplier Town Hall

Marc McAllister, president and CEO of Tucker Powersports, held an online town hall meeting with about 50 Tucker suppliers. He addressed several topics, including Tucker’s strategy, the current market situation, the importance of powersports dealers and the company’s preparation for AIMExpo. He opened with some prepared remarks and then did an extended Q&A to wrap up the meeting.

McAllister reiterated company strategy in his initial comments, saying he sees “a blending of what we used to consider pure powersports, motorcycles and side-by-sides, combined with new lifestyle choices of getting outdoors and participating in powered adventures. With the growth of e-bikes and electric motorcycles, we don’t think that consumers are as discerning as we are about how that experience happens and where that experience starts. We see a blended future with plenty of space for what we do, whether it’s internal combustion-powered, EV-powered or human-powered. We are looking to serve all of those customers.”

Addressing the current market conditions, he commented that, “Today’s market is not what last year’s market was. The market has been tightening, and that is likely to continue into Q1.” He said the company’s data indicates a bottoming out during that quarter and a recovery starting at the end of Q1 and into Q2. “Our plan is to weather the winter and look forward to spring.” He said Tucker is not doing as well as he had hoped but is on solid footing while it si working some inventory out of its system to free up cash and capital.

He cited some notable successes for Tucker, such as the announcement of an exclusive distribution agreement with high-tech helmet company Forcite, e-power brands that are selling through to dealers rapidly as well as certain products from the suppliers on the call that are moving rapidly.

McAllister confirmed to suppliers that he sees a multi-channel future and is not moving away from dealers, saying, “The dealer channel is critical to our industry; the dealer today continues to drive a significant amount of our sales and your sales. Our industry still needs a clubhouse, a gathering point, where people can feel engaged, a place where questions can be answered and to ensure they get the sales and service that they need. So, we continue to invest in dealers, and that brings me to AIMExpo. In our mind, it’s critical that AIME exists. It’s a time for our industry to get together, it’s a time for our industry to celebrate who we are and a platform for us to present a cohesive version of our industry to our dealers, who are, at the end of the day, our primary customers.”

Continuing on AIME, Tucker expects the show to be “significantly larger than last year” and mentioned that Tucker’s investment is much higher than the previous show, including the company’s plan to bring all of its sales reps to the show to support its dealers.

McAllister closed the meeting by thanking the attendees for their support and encouraging participation in AIMExpo.

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.