As Wössner North America (N.A.) continues to increase its presence in the North American piston market, the company has chosen to add two powersports industry specialists to its U.S.-based team to help lead the way. Wössner has over 40 years of experience in the high-performance racing industry. Used and endorsed by top U.S. teams like Star Racing Yamaha, the Wössner name stands for high-quality products. And as one of the fastest-growing brands in the motorsports market today, Wössner N.A. brings German quality to the North American market.
Joining Wössner N.A. in April 2021, Dave Sulecki brings over 35 years of product engineering experience as head of engineering and technology. Before joining Wössner, Sulecki spent 31 years at Wiseco Performance Products, with a combined total of over 40 years in the industry. Sulecki will oversee the engineering, technology and product design strategies at Wössner N.A. to further create an elite dealer and customer experience in the North American market.
Bob DiFranco brought 10-plus years of sales and business development experience to his role as manager of market and business development when he joined Wössner N.A. in September 2019. After a tenure with Race Winning Brands and Advanced Sleeve, DiFranco now puts his sales and management leadership experience to work for Wössner N.A. as he helps the company achieve its short and long-term customer service and dealer partner objectives.
With over 50 years of combined experience between Sulecki and DiFranco and the visionary leadership of Vice President of Operations Ralph Johnston, look for Wössner products more often in 2022 (and beyond) as the company expands its footprint in the North American powersports market.
Get to Know Wössner’s Dave Sulecki and Bob DiFranco
Wössner: You both grew up on two wheels, raced motocross and went on to careers on the business side of the industry. Would you say powersports is something that runs through your veins?
Sulecki: For sure, my immersion into the powersports business began in 1981 — other than one short side trip outside the business for two years — and I’ve been here since. This has been my passion for 40 years! It’s true how the saying goes: Work at something you love, and you won’t have to work a day in your life. Passion and a love of the powersports world are what drive this industry. We sell fun, and I never lose sight of this aspect of our business.
DiFranco: Absolutely. Like many in our industry, my love of all things powersports began at a very early age. It started with a 3-horsepower minibike in the mid-1970s and my constant desire to understand how mechanical things work. I raced motocross as long as I could afford to while working and attending school. After working for several large global companies and experiencing all aspects of different businesses, I’m glad to work for a family-owned company. I never thought I’d have a career in the powersports industry, but I’m so grateful to have a small part in this great industry. Our jobs are very complex but lots of fun.
Wössner: What are you excited to bring to the Wössner U.S. Team as part of its plan to further expand into the North American Powersports market?
Sulecki: First and foremost, I was looking for a home with a business structure that matches my own sensibilities. Wössner GMBH is a family-owned company that focuses on the customer first and has the desire to bring what is missing to the industry. I believe Ralph has done a great job building Wössner N.A. from the ground up; we have unmatched experience in the market, and I look forward to being a part of this.
My focus is providing the right technical and engineering perspective that the U.S. market requires, which can mean complete product design to helping to structure the data needed to service the market. Some days I’m designing pistons, connecting rods or other products; working directly with key partners in the industry, race teams, engine builders; or building out data to support our resellers and channel partners. From product to pricing, and even helping construct trade show display engines, it’s been fun being involved at all levels. The U.S. market is something all of us know very well, and we can leverage our collective knowledge and experience to divide and conquer.
DiFranco: An understanding of our customers and the powersports market. Furthermore, the Wössner family has a passion for racing and for our customers that aligns with my own values of respect, teamwork and winning by selling quality products and solutions.
Wössner: What is something you’re excited to share about Wössner products that powersports dealers and customers in the North American market may not know?
Sulecki: Wössner is a highly capable company with a vast product offering in pistons and connecting rods. The quality is an impressive level that is race developed and proven in competition. Our abilities in engineering and design are highly experienced, further supported by (growing!) state-of-the-art manufacturing and in-house forging capability. We are also expanding our product offering, and we look forward to sharing this with the market and meeting their needs.
DiFranco: Wössner has an excellent breadth of product offerings and has great resources worldwide. We’re proud to offer multiple solutions for each model we service and flexibility to our customers in each market and geographic location. Wössner’s expansion into key geographic locations and hiring experts in each location adds value for our customers. We listen to our customers and to the market.
