Harley-Davidson names Keith E. Wandell President and CEO
Harley-Davidson Nightster - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Keith Wandell has been named Harley-Davidson's new President and CEO, taking the place of James Ziemer. Wendell joins The Motor Company by way of fellow Milwaukee-based automotive supplier Johnson Controls, where he'll remain in his current role as President and COO until the end of April. Financial news institutions seem generally pleased with the appointment, which is good since H-D's currently experiencing some of the worst market conditions in its 106-year history. Somewhat shockingly, Wandell does not currently own a motorcycle, a fact we're certain will be quickly rectified.Also starting on May 1 will be Enrico D'Onofrio, who will take the reigns at MV Agusta, the Italian motorcycle maker that was recently purchased by Harley-Davidson. D'Onofrio had previously held the role of CFO at cross-town rival Ducati – which definitely sounds promising – and will take over for Matthew Levatich, who will now serve as COO at H-D. Quite the management shake-up, no? Mind-numbingly boring press release after the break.
Gallery: Harley-Davidson Nightster
PRESS RELEASE:
Harley-Davidson, Inc. names Keith E. Wandell President and CEO - Company unveils broader organizational leadership changes
MILWAUKEE (April 6, 2009) - Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE:HOG) has named Keith E. Wandell President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James L. Ziemer, who is retiring. Wandell, 59, currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE:JCI), a $38 billion global company. Wandell, a 21-year Johnson Controls veteran, starts his new duties at Harley-Davidson May 1.
"Keith Wandell is a seasoned global business leader who brings tremendous energy, passion, and organizational and talent development capability to his job as Harley-Davidson's new chief executive," said Harley-Davidson, Inc. Board Member Barry K. Allen, who serves as the Board's Presiding Director. "His vision and values make him a great fit, and he is absolutely the right person to now lead Harley-Davidson on its exciting journey."
Regarding his appointment, Wandell commented: "Harley-Davidson has a remarkable record of success and limitless possibilities. I am honored and thrilled to join the Harley-Davidson family and to have this opportunity to help it fulfill dreams, create innovative market-leading products, and expand its opportunities worldwide."
The Company also announced the following organizational leadership changes which, according to Allen, will also serve as a catalyst to drive Harley-Davidson's strategies for growth, operational excellence and leadership development going forward:
Matthew S. Levatich becomes President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Levatich, 44, is currently President and Managing Director of MV Agusta, the Italian motorcycle maker that Harley-Davidson, Inc. acquired last August. While at MV, Levatich spearheaded the restarting of MV's operations. In his 15 years at Harley-Davidson, Levatich has held positions of increasing responsibility in the U.S. and Europe, including Vice President and General Manager of the Company's Parts and Accessories business, andVice President of Materials Management.
James A. McCaslin moves to Executive Vice President for Corporate Product Planning, reporting to the CEO. In this newly created position, McCaslin has broad oversight of motorcycle product planning and development processes across Harley-Davidson, Inc. McCaslin, 60, has served as President of the Motor Company for the past eight years.
Enrico D'Onofrio, 51, assumes the post of Managing Director, MV Agusta. D'Onofrio joined MV Agusta as Corporate General Director earlier in 2009, overseeing all administrative functions including finance and human resources. Previously he held senior management positions at motorcycle maker Ducati, including CFO, and at Proctor & Gamble in Europe.
All three appointments are also effective May 1.
"The appointment of Matt Levatich to the senior leadership position at Harley-Davidson Motor Company recognizes his demonstrated abilities at relationship management and as a strategic thinker and problem solver on the operations side of the business. He will be a strong leader in his expanded role," said Allen. "Matt's predecessor, Jim McCaslin, has done an outstanding job of leading the Motor Company's operations. His unique talents, passion for products and operational excellence, and market knowledge will now be a great asset to drive the organization forward in the critical area of product planning and development. And we also look forward to growth for MV Agusta, under Enrico's leadership."
"Harley-Davidson has a uniquely powerful brand, strong market leadership, and a richness of talented leaders and employees who know this business intimately. Keith's arrival and these other leadership changes make a powerful combination that will advance the great work going on all across the organization to attract new riders, grow our core rider base and expand internationally," Allen said.
"On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I also want to thank Jim Ziemer for his 40 years of service to Harley-Davidson and wish him well on his upcoming retirement. All of us who have worked with Jim throughout the years have benefited from his leadership, his selfless commitment to the Company, and his contributions to making the brand one of the most admired and successful brands in the world," said Allen.
Company Background
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Buell Motorcycle Company (Buell), MV Agusta and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, touring and cruiser motorcycles. Buell produces American sport performance motorcycles. MV Agusta produces premium, high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta® brand and lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the Cagiva® brand. HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs primarily to Harley-Davidson and Buell dealers and customers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mybora99 8:50AM (4/10/2009)
that's eff'n hot
Reply
summazooma 9:31AM (4/10/2009)
Considering the dismantling of a once-great product development organization at JCI and the disgusting "one eye on the stock price so I can time my cashing in on options" management at JCI, this could be the beginning of an ignominous end to what was an American success story at Harley Davidson.
Be prepared to see Chinese production of Harleys, if only for local consumption... while the U.S. organization gets slowly starved.
Yeah, I know,... the supplier biz is different but, frankly, that doesn't change the fact that a JCI that was profitable throughout this decade hasn't seen a significant dismantling of U.S. organization while growing investment in other countries. Good business sense, perhaps, on the surface but, frankly, one that kills the vaunted American Know-how to which we all pay lip-service.
Mark these words: Chinese market potential drives (and will drive for other organizations) a de-emphasis of U.S. investment, costing both white & blue collar professionals more than just a bit of the "American Dream" & JCI is a perfect, though somewhat obscure, example of this.
Reply
summazooma 10:26AM (4/10/2009)
What happens when you don't have coffee in the morning...
"Yeah, I know,... the supplier biz is different but, frankly, that doesn't change the fact that a JCI that was profitable throughout this decade hasn't seen a significant dismantling of U.S. organization while growing investment in other countries."
...should read...
"Yeah, I know,... the supplier biz is different but, frankly, that doesn't change the fact that a JCI that was profitable throughout this decade HAS seen a significant dismantling of U.S. organization while growing investment in other countries."
EU_reader 9:33AM (4/10/2009)
Why would a CEO have to own a motorbike to do his job properly? A CEO is all about strategy, management, efficiency, connections...
CEO's switch jobs regurarly, sometimes to industries that are totally not related at all. They're good at what they do and they like the challenge of restructuring a company to make it competitive again.
I hope this is a sign of things to come. I hope they step up the game in terms of technology. I hope they deliver bikes that appeal to a younger audience, etc...
But considering the target audience, i doubt they will change anything. Older, midlife dudes stuck in the 50's with cash and the need to be 'individual' by buying a bike with a 50%+ market share in the US. Most of them are sheep and will buy a Harley no matter what, because of the badge.
I'm a big fan of the harley franchise, but as a 25 year old, i can't find a single model that appeals to me. It looks to me that i liked harleys more when i was 15 years old. Everyone grows up some day, right? ;)
A V-rod is the closest thing to modern day harley that i might consider buying. But with my own money, i'd have to think long and hard about that. Sportsters are waaay too small for me, dyna's and softail have antique engines....
They need to take a close look at victory to get some ideas about how to make a sleek and stylisch cruiser for the 21st century.
Anyway, i hope they do well...
Reply
Den in IN 12:53PM (4/10/2009)
Actually they have components that look old but are as modern as anybody's. They do make some old-timey stuff with spring forks and so on as a specialty line but the mainline Harleys are fully up to snuff technically. They may not have all of the exotic technology that top sport bikes do but that is not their MO. They have comparable tech in the market they play in. Having said that I agree the most interesting bike they make is the V-Rod which is very cool but expensive.
I hope it works out well for them, even if they aren't the bikes I would choose I think it is a great franchise.
EU_reader 2:27PM (4/10/2009)
-"Actually they have components that look old"-
That's what i meant. I posted another text in these comments (below):
-"Or at least with a much more refined engine. Less visual clutter (rods, pipes, pushrods, separate gearbox...)"-
I'm sure the tech is fine, but the 50's look has outstayed its welcome years ago. It was great in a time people wanted the retro heritage look, but it's not appealing in these modern times for young people, where designs are clean and minimalistic.
Case in point: take a look at the current victory powerplant, that's what i'm talking about.
Mini cooper, fiat 500, mustang, challenger, camaro, ... are tribute designs, not copies...
Anyway, i think this decade is the last for retro stuff, i think a lot of people are sick of seeing the same cars they saw in the 60's....
Cameron 11:14AM (4/10/2009)
Maybe getting someone from outside the industry is a good idea, it seems to be working for Ford. I have to agree that the Harley lineup isn't very diverse under the Harley brand, but they seem to be working on that with MV Agusta, and some Buells being made with Rotax engines. I there is only one Harley I really like and that's the XR1200, because it's the one Harley you can get that you sit upright.
Reply
EU_reader 11:26AM (4/10/2009)
You're right, i forgot the XR1200...
I love that bike as well. Though it suffers from the usual Harley mindset. Styling above all else. For example, they could have made the airboxes (under the tank) larger for better airflow and performance. But they didn't to keep the proportions and looks just right.
It's the reason why the harley crowd buys harleys. And i respect that mindset too, styling is important for me as well. But it leaves me thinking of what could have been, without the compromises.
It's also pretty heavy for a naked performance bike. I sure hope it's taller and bigger than the other sportsters (i haven't seen one in the flesh)
An XR1200 version 2.0 and a facelifted V-rod (or 'traditional' cruisers with that liquid cooled engine). That's where i would want to see them go in the future. Or at least with a much more refined engine. Less visual clutter (rods, pipes, pushrods, separate gearbox...)
Cameron 11:55AM (4/10/2009)
Huge power doesn't matter that much to me, my 25 year old Yamaha 750 has as much power as I really need. I like the way the XR1200 looks and it sits the way I like a bike to sit, with my feet under me. Seems like all the other Harleys have forward controls except the sportster, which sits to low for me. The XR1200 is on my list of bikes I would like to buy, with the: Kawasaki Versa, the Royal Enfield Bullet G5, and the Triumph Bonneville. I wish the Harley wasn't at least 3,000 more than those bikes.
Reply
EU_reader 2:33PM (4/10/2009)
Nice shortlist.
I agree with you, i like my feet under my ass as well (but not cramped, just a normal euro riding position)
There used to be a V-rod "street rod" (or something along those lines) which had pegs like a euro naked. It looked a bit weird, because you are already sitting low. Feet under ass requires a higher seat in my opinion.
Nice shortlist you have there. But don't bother with that Enfield. I know it's very retro, simple and charming, but get the bonneville instead. Much more character, better bike in every way, epic badge, more dealers (you know you'll need them at some point), smoother bi-cylinder ride, etc...
Enjoy whatever you choose!
christian_rocker_38 1:31PM (6/29/2009)
Is there an address to contact keith E. Wandell ?
Reply