Newfren, new year, new catalogue
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Italian brakes specialist Newfren has updated its brake pads programmes with new compounds and applications, offering its distributors and their dealers access to a comprehensive range with coverage for most popular makes and models of cruisers, street bikes and off-roaders – all detailed in their new 2017, 752 page catalogue download that includes over 300 pages of product and application diagrams, technical drawings and fitment guidance. Founded in the 1950s by Alessandro Barbero, Newfren were innovators and early adopters of a number of new brake technologies, such as bonded friction material, gravity and highpressure die casting, and brake shoes without rivets. The company is still in family ownership with Valter Barbero at the helm, and last year saw them complete a major 24-month investment
Walker gets KTM top job in UK
programme in new manufacturing technology at their 65,000 sq ft facilty / 100,000 sq ft site at Cirie near Turin, where they make their brake pads, shoes, backing plates, clutch plates and parts and brake discs and assemblies. www. newfren. com
The KTM Group has promoted Matt Walker to the position of Managing Director for both KTM Sportmotorcycle UK and Husqvarna Motorcycles UK with immediate effect. Walker, 40, joined the UK subsidiary of the Austrian company as an Area Sales Manager in 2004 before progressing to become National Sales Manager and then General Manager in 2015. After leading the company to an increased market share in 2016, the appointment to Managing Director across both brands at the Silverstone Park-based offices means that Matt will be responsible for driving the parent company’ s ambitious targets to grow the dealer network in the UK and Ireland. Florian Kecht, Managing Director of KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH, said:“ These are exciting times for KTM and Husqvarna, and the company has set very ambitious targets in its medium-term plan.“ The KTM Group trusts Matt’ s understanding of the market which- coupled with his sales and marketing expertise and experience with our everevolving brands – means we are confident he is the right person to maximise our potential in the UK and Ireland. Having delivered impressive growth in the role of General Manager in 2016, we are expecting a very a bright future in what we consider one of the most important motorcycling regions”. One of Matt’ s first jobs as MD was to appoint Simon Roots as the new Marketing, Events and Motorsport Manager for KTM Sportmotorcycle UK. Roots, 43, was previously the editor of Fast Bikes magazine in the UK, which he joined in 2009 after leaving SuperBike magazine.
Matt Walker is a former editor of Fast Bikes magazine in the UK
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS- APRIL / MAY 2017 21