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KSR Group files for ' Bankruptcy Protection '
Founded some 25 years ago and considered a leading business in the ' new gen ', post 2007 financial crisis landscape of the motorcycle industry in Europe , KSR Group GmbH , a market leader in several key sectors of twowheeled mobility and a longstanding wholesale company , has filed for a court-supervised restructuring procedure . Based in Gedersdorf in Austria and owned and operated by brothers Michael and Christian Kirschenhofer , the announcement cited the multiple difficulties of the unstable economic situation in Europe and the significant changes the business has had to undergo over the past year as a result - specifically referencing rising energy prices , high inflation and decreased purchasing power among customers . The company has currently been selling 60,000 vehicles a year and owns ,
SMK Helmets
One of , if not the largest of established helmet manufacturers , SMK Helmets is a premium brand introduced by Studds Helmets and Apparel in 2015 . Studds has its origins more than 50 years ago , with the first helmets being produced by the Indian company in 1972 . Still a founding family owned and operated business based at Faridabad in Haryana , India , SMK will be introducing two new helmet designs at EICMA - ' Agnar ' and ' Laminar '. " Our full-face model ' Agnar ' is expected to build on the success that we saw with our previous full face premium helmet - ' Titan ' - one of our established top sellers ," says SMK ' s Shilpa Arora - daughter of the group ' s founders . " The ' Titan ' is known for its strong looks , aerodynamic styling ,
' Laminar '
extremely high level of comfort and the fact that is available in both PFT and Carbon . " Designed to appeal to a broad range of customers , I personally feel that ' Agnar ' will be very popular with the naked tourer bike segment - think Yamaha MT 09 and such like - in addition to mid-touring riders . " Defined by its strong / muscular and aerodynamic shape , its advance channelled air intakes and exhausts for
licences or manages at least 15 motorcycle , scooter and broader powersports vehicle brands ( including Brixton , Motron , Lambretta , Malaguti , Italjet , NIU and CFMoto Off-Road ). It has been selling through some 2,300 dealers in 60 countries worldwide and offices in Greece , Italy , Spain , Switzerland , Belgium and The Netherlands as well as its head office in Austria . " We have been working intensively in recent months to meet these conditions ," said Michael and Christian Kirschenhofer . " However , in the interest of a successful and responsible continuation of our business and to preserve jobs , we now see the need to apply for a courtsupervised restructuring procedure ." The key reasons for initiating the restructuring procedure include high material costs due to the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict , exchange rate fluctuations , reduced sales due to stronger-than-expected consumer restraint in recent months , and full dealer inventories . Though it should be noted that for the first half of 2023 , industry-wide new unit registrations have been + 7 and + 10.1 % in Austria and Germany respectively . " After an intensive evaluation phase , we see this decision as unavoidable to guide our company through challenging times and continue our business successfully for the benefit of all stakeholders ," said Michael Kirschenhofer . The company ' s Smart Products and Mobility business segments will be
great ventilation and extra wide , one touch replaceable visors , ' Agnar ' will come with Pinlock 70 ready visors for added safety and convenience and will be ECE 22.06 ( and DOT ) approved . " The ' Laminar ' is our cool and trendy new demi-jet . Expected to fill a gap in our lineup at the entry level of the urban commuter segment , it will be available in three shell sizes . Not a lot of the manufacturers in this segment provide a demi-jet with three different shells , so we believe the fit will be a popular option for dealers . " Laminar features a comfortable fit as a result of three shells and three EPS sizes , very comfortable , removable and machine-washable inner liners , two unique visor options and a very
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operated as usual and with sales in Household and Leisure sectors , apparently not all of KSR ' s divisions ( KSR Swiss , KSR Hellas , KSR Thailand , KSR Solution and KH Holding ) are affected by the restructuring procedure . The KSR Group says it will use the coming months to reposition itself for the 2024 season , stating that it is " confident in the future of its business models , existing partnerships , the competence of its employees , and the strength of its brands ". In Austria , making an application for " judicial reorganisation proceedings without self-administration " is a signal that the Group ' s problems run deep and that it is going to have to work hard if it is to stave off liquidation of its assets and preserve some jobs and trading .
' Agnar ' affordable price point ." Operating from a campus with 14 million helmet annual capacity facilities totalling more than 50,000 sq m , SMK / Studds sells in more than 50 countries worldwide , including in the United States through its Bikerz subsidiary and says it has sold gear and apparel to more than 50 million riders globally down the years . www . smkhelmets . com
22 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2023 www . idnmag . com