International Dealer News IDN 144 August/September 2018

COMMENT: EU new motorcycle registrations for first half of 2018 estimated to increase ..... Page 4
Italian new motorcycle registration growth still strongest in Europe .............................................................................. Page 6
Record numbers of 'Ducatisti' faithful flock to declare fealty at World Ducati Week ................................... Page 12
Dell'Orto selected as FIM Enel MotoE World Cup data acquisition partner ...................................................... Page 17
MAG sells British manufacturer
Renthal back to company
founder Henry Rosenthal
The Texas based Motorsport
Aftermarket Group (MAG) has
sold Stockport, UK off-road and
street parts specialist Renthal
back to founder Henry Rosenthal.
Renthal was formed in 1969 by
motorcycle and engineering
enthusiasts Andrew Renshaw and
Henry Rosenthal, initially making
handlebars for trials bikes.
In 1975 the company entered the
motocross market and its lightweight,
high-strength aluminium handlebars
revolutionised motocross racing –
attaining 198 World Championships
and 205 US titles in the decades since.
Renthal became the first aluminium
handlebar to be fitted as original
equipment on a Japanese off-road
motorcycle in 2004, with Honda,
Kawasaki and Suzuki (plus KTM) still
using Renthal handlebars for their
performance motocross models.
Most recently Renthal has successfully
entered the MTB market. Noted for
their manufacturing quality and
innovation in engineering, these days
Renthal offers a wide range of parts and
accessories for street and off-road
applications such as grips, bar mounts,
levers, handguards, chainwheels, chain
and brake pads, in addition to the
handlebars and sprockets for which it
remains best known.
Rosenthal sold the company to MAG in
2006, where it joined a then growing
stable of internationally respected
aftermarket brands that includes the
likes of Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn,
Performance Machine, Roland Sands
Design and Progressive Suspension. In
2014 MAG merged with Tucker
Powersports (formerly known as Tucker
Rocky), one of the U.S. market’s leading
aftermarket parts and accessory
distributors, with deep roots in the off-
road industry as owners of brands such
as MSR, Pro-Taper, DragonFire and
Answer.
Henry has remained in an active
leadership role at Renthal, and
commenting on the deal to sell Renthal
back to its founder, Andy Graves, MAG’s
President and CEO said: “Renthal has
performed very well under MAG
ownership, and we are excited to
continue our close relationship as their
leading US distributor going forward.
Henry’s passion and experience in the
off-road market gives us confidence in
the brand’s continued success built
upon great products”.
As part of the deal, Tucker Powersports
has entered into a multi-year
distribution agreement that will see it
continue to represent the British
manufacturer to its dealers in the
United States. The sale of Renthal marks
the completion on MAG’s plan to
withdraw from its European
investments, having recently also sold
its UK based subsidiary MAG Europe to
Dutch distributor Motorcycle
Storehouse.
In other corporate news, French helmet
manufacturer SHARK also has new
ownership.
Prior owner Naxicap Partners, a Paris
based private equity investor, has sold
a majority stake in French motorcycle
Continues on page 10 >>>
AUG/SEPT 2018
ISSUE #144
STATZONE 6-9
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