<<< Continued from cover Lichter, and history and memorabilia from the Ace Cafe, London. Leading parts and accessory distributers included Motorcycle Storehouse and Custom Chrome Europe, with the Warren Buffet owned German distributor and retailer Detlev Louis debuting their custom industry program. Several“ mainstream” parts and accessory vendors followed the lead set by the OEMs by taking an additional booth in INTERMOT Customized – well-known names such as LSL, Nolan Helmets and leading German luggage specialist SW- MOTECH, who showed their new‘ Legend’ line. Parts and accessories specialists at‘ INTERMOT Customized’ included Daytona Twin Tec and Cometic Gaskets from the United States, exhaust manufacturers such as Dr Jekill and Mr Hyde( German) and BSL( Austria), performance specialist Norbert Buesch( Germany) and apparel brands such as OMD( helmets), John Doe( protective casual riding gear), Restless and Rusty Pistons. European custom shops and custom bike builders stepped up their booth presence, with‘ INTERMOT Customized’ featuring the likes of Fred Kodlin, Ruff Cycles, Mellow Motorcycles, Dr Mechanik, WalzWerk, Independent Choppers, Big Boys Cycles, HBS, Hells Kitchen old school
parts and Holger Schnell’ s No Limit Custom from Germany, joined by Midland Choppers from Switzerland. Tracing its origins in Cologne back to 1964, INTERMOT is staged every two years. INTERMOT 2016 attracted an increased attendance of some 220,000 visitors from 95 different countries, and saw over 40 worldwide new motorcycle model premiers from the world’ s leading motorcycle manufacturers. Over 1,330 exhibiting companies( 17 percent up from 2014) from 40 different countries occupied some 70,000 sq m of exhibit space. In its opening press conference, show owner IVM, the German motorcycle industry trade association, cited‘ INTERMOT Customized’ as the primary driver of the increase in exhibitor numbers. In total the show occupied 129,000 sq m( nearly 1.4m sq ft) of gross space in 6 state-of-the-art exhibition halls and an additional 70,000 sq m( approx. 750,000 sq ft) of external activity and feature space that included over 15,000 test rides being taken on Scooters and e-bikes. INTERMOT is also host to‘ e-Motion’, another showwithin-show concept for the fast growing international Urban Mobility and e-bike market. The 13th AMD World Championship will be staged at‘ INTERMOT Customized’ during INTERMOT 2018 at the Cologne Exhibition Center from October 3rd to Sunday 7th 2018.
Lonny Spiva buys Heartland USA
Industry veteran and former Sales and Marketing Director Lonny Spiva has bought the Gardena, California based parts, accessories and styling and custom conversion kits manufacturer Heartland USA from founder Jim Grove. Known for their E-Z rear fender conversions and quality accessories for the American V- Twin marketplace for the last 20 years, in Lonny Spiva, Heartland is now in the hands of an experienced and respected industry professional who numbers Biker’ s Choice, Custom Chrome, Hard Drive, Custom Cycle Engineering and Renegade Wheels among others in a career that has well equipped him for an ownership role. Speaking of his decision to retire and sell to Spiva, Jim Grove says that“ Lonny was the first choice to carry the Heartland USA brand into the future. In the three plus years that Lonny was here at Heartland, his fingerprints can be found all over this brand. For example, he was instrumental in developing our first catalog.”“ I was excited when Jim called, I have always loved the Heartland brand, and now I have been given the chance to be a part of it in a very big way,” Lonny said
about the future.“ I feel I’ ve come home, and I’ m looking forward to conservatorship of the Heartland brand.” Jim stated:“ I know that Heartland will be in good hands with Lonny at the wheel. He has a passion for the business as much or more than I do.” Lonny added:“ We’ ll be getting busy straight away, so watch for new and exciting kits coming from Heartland in the upcoming months.”
www. heartlandbiker. com
Biker’ s Choice gets new President
Tucker Rocky / Biker’ s Choice have announced logistics specialist Eric Cagle as its new company President, replacing Dan Courtney, who left the company in February 2016. Coming from a 25 + year career with Caterpillar Inc. and Neovia Logistics, Cagle brings to his role“ expertise developed while assisting automotive, construction and industrial equipment and high-tech companies in developing and improving parts logistics operations and sales.” Cagle will be based at Tucker Rocky’ s Fort Worth, Texas headquarters. Cagle is quoted as saying“ the opportunity to join a recognized leader in such an exciting industry was very appealing to me. I’ m energized by the prospect of putting down roots in a company with such a strong product offering, loyal customer base and
committed leadership team.“ The relationship this company has with its 10,000 dealer partners, the expertise of the salesforce, and the leadership position Tucker Rocky has rightfully earned in the marketplace tell me this company has‘ good bones’ and can respond to the current realities of the motorsports industry. I’ m thrilled to get to know this company and this tight-knit industry.”
www. tuckerrocky. com
8 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- NOVEMBER 2016 www. AMDchampionship. com