International Dealer News IDN 118 Apr/May 2014 | Page 13

THE AMERICAN REPORT
of PG&A. “Kolpin is a trusted brand among ORV
riders, hunters, outdoorsmen and landowners who
value the quality and reliability Kolpin builds into
their powersports accessories.
"Their line-up of exceptional products and deep
consumer and retail relationships will help Polaris
expand their aftermarket accessories portfolio and
enhance their traditional and online distribution
channels.”
Founded in 1943, Kolpin products will continue
to be sold under the Kolpin and Cycle Country
brands, with customised private label products
available through its Premier O.E.M. business.
Speaking for Kolpin, President and CEO Tom Lutes
said that “it gives all of us at Kolpin great pride to

become part of the Polaris family. Although
different in size, we share many of the same
values...small town roots, quality products, lifestyle
brand focus and a rich heritage in product
innovation.”
In 2013 Polaris posted sales of $3.8 billion.
Polaris specialises in snowmobiles and off-road
vehicles, and having established a presence in the
heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market
with Victory, the company added the Indian
Motorcycle brand two years ago and launched the

first models in a new range at EICMA in November
last year.
This isn't the company's first play on the ultility
off-road vehicle sector, having bought the French
Aixam Mega business four years ago, and having
made a play for the on-road small electric/hybrid
powered vehicle industry with the acquisition of
American "neighbourhood electric vehicle" (NEV)
manufacturer Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), and
Bourran, France-based specialist Goupil Industrie
SA, a manufacturer of on-road, commercial electric
vehicles. Other strategic investments by Polaris in
recent years have included acquisition of the Klim
apparel brand.
www.polaris.com

Industry veteran JJ Handfield opens international consultancy
ORMER Bel-Ray Oils veteran
JJ Handfield used the recent
V-Twin Expo at Cincinnati to
debut his own new company – JJ
Sells PowerSports, LLC.
Handfield is leveraging his
considerable long-term
international distribution
experience to offer American
parts and accessory
manufacturers (V-Twin and
‘metric’) a consultancy service to
increase worldwide sales for
their aftermarket products.
Handfield has four decades of

F

powersports industry sales and
marketing experience,

domestically as well as
internationally, and says that
“my focus will be international.
Many top selling North American
companies and innovative
American powersports industry
products are not known or
present outside the USA. JJ Sells
PowerSports can open the door
to the world market for these
companies and their products.
“It begins with introductions to
experienced and known players
in the regions and countries of
interest. We have

distributor/buyer and industry
contacts at all levels and
channels on all six continents.”
No stranger to the international
motorcycle industry show scene,
Handfield has represented BelRay and Spectro as International
Sales Manager. “I’ve worked
with distributors and been in
motorcycle shops all over the
world. I know these markets and
what is required to generate
sales, and can also leverage expo
and media contacts to help
develop brand awareness”.