POD Active : Reinforcing its status as a global motorcycle industry hub , EICMA saw Italian distributor Innteck play host to Australian knee brace specialist POD Active . Founded in 2005 by polymer and composite materials specialist and motorbike fanatic Geoff Maloney , International Marketing Manager Byron Marsh told IDN : " We have more than 44 globally in at least 52 different countries , and have seen sales growth again this year ." Developed in association with American MX Pro Adam Cianciarulo , the company ' s new K4 AC9 limited edition knee brace boasts " vibrant pops of colour and dynamic graphical treatment while still featuring the unprecedented strength and performance of the original K4 2.0 brace "; www . podactive . com
Arrowhead Engineered Product : Arrowhead CEO John Mosunic has wasted little time investing in growing Arrowhead ' s footprint in the global powersports business . Arrowhead is owner of Vertex Pistons in Italy and All Balls Racing Group whose brands portfolio including Hot Cams , Hot Rods , All Balls Racing and Pivot Works . The company ' s first significant acquisition announcement in 2022 came in January with news that longtime owner Craig Shoemaker had sold his Boise , Idaho-based business , Western Power Sports , to Arrowhead . Just eight months later came the news that Arrowhead , one of the big three distributors in the United States , had snapped up Bihr from Kontich , Beldiumbased former owner Alcopa . At a stroke ( well , two strokes ) and in the space of less than a year , Arrowhead had reshaped the European and American motorcycle industry parts , accessories , gear and apparel landscape in dramatic fashion ; www . arrowheadepinc . com
Landport Batteries : Recent news from the Dutch battery specialist includes expansion of its range of SLA batteries . " We offer an extensive range of batteries and battery chargers for various powersports , automotive and industrial applications ," says Landport ' s Bart van Abeelen . " During the last season , we saw the demand for sealed batteries continue to increase - in response to 2021 introduced regulations that ban the sale of sulphuric acid to end-users . As a result , most of our customers are switching their business from batteries with acid packs ( conventional and AGM ) to completely sealed alternatives ( SLA and GEL ). The main advantage is that they are factoryactivated ( filled and charged ) and therefore ready to use . No acid handling is needed ." The LP brand is available in six series with a total of 200 battery models suitable for motorcycles , scooters , all-terrain vehicles , jet skis , snowmobiles and even lawn mowers ; www . landportbv . com
Powersports Distribution Group ( PDG ): Recently appointed as CEO , Denis Brouwer ' s strong commercial experience makes him ideally suited to plot a growth course for the Breda based owner of Hoco Parts , AFAM Group , Motorcycle Storehouse , CMS and other select acquisitions . " Our strategy is to help dealers to build on the bond between their stores , their customers and the distributors they buy from with world-class brands and products . PDG builds on the relationship between dealers and their local riding community by acquiring or partnering with accomplished local wholesalers , using their expertise to better serve their country ' s market . Quite simply put , our long-term goal is to become Europe ' s leading parts distributor . This is ambitious , yes , but the growth realised in a little over four years proves that we aren ' t just talk "; powersportsdistributiongroup . com
www . idnmag . com
Bihr : The Bartenheim , France based distributor became a second acquisition in 2022 for the Minnesota based Arrowhead Engineered Products ( AEP ) Group . Best known until recently , in powersports terms , as owner of Vertex Pistons in Italy , All Balls Racing and other component brands such as Hot Cams and Pivot Works , the year started with news that AEP had acquired the Boise , Idaho based domestic U . S . distributor Western Power Sports ( WPS ). The year ended by coming to terms with AEP ' s August announced addition of Bihr to give them a substantial position as a leading player in both the United States and European markets . Bihr CEO Christophe Piron told IDN that he had always wanted to find a way into the domestic American parts and accessories market for its own brands , and many of its global exclusives , saying : " I always thought we had the critical mass and brand strength to compete there . The combination of Bihr and WPS with AEP ' s capital and manufacturing resources gives us an immediate platform for expansion in USA and here in Europe "; www . mybihr . com
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - DECEMBER 2022 / JANUARY 2023 33