Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Profits soar for Harley-Davidson, but at what cost?

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18110-harley-davidson-executives-paid-nearly-57-million-in-bonuses" target="_blank">Harley-Davidson has become a far more profitable company in 2011</a> even though it only sold 233,117 motorcycles. (In 2006 they had sold 349, 196 motorcycles)</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cost cutting measures implemented by Keith Wandell saw the company save $217 million dollars by slashing their work force at the York plant by some 950 + jobs. They also negotiated a contract that sees their employees wages held until 2017.  Their plants in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have also experienced job losses.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a business owner, I understand outsourcing and cost watching/cutting - it is the life blood of business, but when you are a publicly traded company the dollar is the only "God" investors know and humanity gets stripped from the equation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What do I mean by that? Well, in the name of profitability, the employee at Harley-Davidson saw their lifestyle and ability to earn a living reduced - many lost their jobs, almost all saw their incomes held or reduced but not in the boardroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Begin Quote: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>The top five executives at Harley-Davidson Inc. earned almost $5.7 million in bonuses in 2011.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keith Wandell, president/chief executive officer: $2,803,233 bonus, $7,232,147 total pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">John Olin senior vice president/chief financial officer: $611,123 bonus $1,785,030 total pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matthew Levatich, president/chief operating officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Co.: $1,117,093 bonus,$3,065,869 total pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lawrence Hund, president/chief operating officer, Harley-Davidson Financial Services: $737,917 bonus,$2,398,907 total pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paul Jones, vice president/general counsel: $389,390 bonus, $1,007,524 total pay. <b>End Quote</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I understand that you need to pay good people well - you pay them for doing the tough jobs but I do find it hard to understand why top executives who already earn a great wage need to be paid bonuses for cutting other people out of the pay equation completely.  I guess that is why I will never run a publicly traded company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't think I could take a bonus on the backs of those who loose their jobs...my conscience wouldn't let me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What are your thoughts on H-D and the bonuses paid to their executives?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>In other news:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/304-businessindustry-news-american/18117-mag-inc-acquires-motorcycle-superstore-inc" target="_blank">Motorcycle Super Store has been bought out by MAG</a> - Motorsports Aftermarket Group</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Marines are<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/444-rider-training-and-safety/18108-marines-make-motorcycle-safety-a-priority" target="_blank"> taking motorcycle safety seriously</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Europe, Knievel Cycles has had two fat tire motorcycles approved for that market: <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1890-custom-bikes/18107-knievel-cycles-adds-to-european-lineup" target="_blank">the Patriot Pro-Street and the Patriot Chopper.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In New Zealand, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/286-news-international-/18116-rebels-motorcycle-gang-move-into-kaikohe" target="_blank">the Rebels are causing a stink </a>by having purchased some land for their clubhouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There's an interesting article on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/286-news-international-/18109-check-out-these-biker-joints-in-spore" target="_blank">biker hangouts in Singapore</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From sports to gadgets for your garage, and everything in between, there is lots in the news feeds today at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where we sift through the news, so you don't have to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am getting packed and ready to head out to the Toronto National Motorcycle & Tattoo Show - and am looking forward to seeing a ton of riders and being able to report on the riding community and their machines, travels and dreams!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and through emails...hope they bring a smile to your face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a fabulous Hump day everyone!</span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i>

Profits soar for Harley-Davidson, but at what cost?

Harley-Davidson has become a far more profitable company in 2011 even though it only sold 233,117 motorcycles. (In 2006 they had sold 349, ...

Living the life - a Quadriplegic teaches a life lesson

Belt Drive 0 Community 8:38 AM

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you love the wind, nothing will stop you from enjoying it, not even life in a wheelchair....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ron Asay may not realize it, but he is an inspiration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The example of determination and passion that is his life is something that needs to be shared with everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You see, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18072-quadriplegic-crafts-custom-power-trike" target="_blank">Ron was a motorcycle mechanic and an avid rider before he ended up in a wheelchair</a>....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Begin Quote: In 1981, Asay was in a head-on crash with another vehicle that was towing a car on a trailer. The trailer began to fishtail and the driver lost control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I flipped end-over-end twice," Asay said about the crash that landed him in the hospital for three months and permanently damaged his spine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I have no movement in my fingers. I can move my arms and my wrists a little bit, but I don't have full strength in them, and I have no movement or feeling from the chest down."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Asay was forced to give up fixing bikes for a living. He enrolled in a computer training program and eventually got a job working for American Express, where he retired after 17 years on the job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But the desire to feel the wind blowing in his face never subsided. End Quote</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It took Ron 13 and a half years to build the trike he rides today. But HE built it and HE rides it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He has built two other machines since.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love hearing how others conquer and master themselves, how they overcome challenges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ron could have easily succumbed to self pity and anger but he obviously has great core values and a true love of life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Is this man an inspiration or what!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is an interesting Motorcycle Safety ad campaign taking place in the UK - called THINK BIKER....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is a sample of what the ads look like...</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now - you tell me, is that not an EFFECTIVE AD?</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would love to hear your ideas on Motorcycle Safety Campaigns from around the world and how they could be adopted or adapted for the North American motorcycle community to utilize...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other news...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/308-bc-motorcycle-events/18090-military-sets-up-camp-at-ranch" target="_blank">O'Keefe Ranch just outside of Vernon</a> will be the home of the Military Campground for the 2012 Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Harley & Tattoo Show in Lavalle QC  <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/378-contacts/18084-lets-customize-bikes-and-tattoos-a-popular-combination-" target="_blank">is coming up at the Centre SportExpo de Laval April 20-22.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">IN PEI at this year's Atlanticade - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18091-john-mellencamp-to-play-in-summerside-during-atlanticade-motorcycle-festival-" target="_blank">John Mellancamp is going to rock the house!!!!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Arizona, attendees of the GoDaddy owned Harley-Davison of Scottsdale took in a great <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/18087-bret-michaels-gives-harley-crowd-nothin-but-a-good-time-" target="_blank">Bike Week Kick Off event featuring Bret Michaels</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thousands of riders in the UK took part in the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/448-2009-09-07-21-33-21/18086-three-cheers-as-thousands-take-part-in-star-bikers-egg-run" target="_blank">Star Riders Egg Run this past weekend</a>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are a number of very interesting articles in the news feeds from the weekend and this morning...check it out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news to bring you all things motorcycle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few giggles shared with me by friends on Facebook and through emails, it's Monday and we all need a reason to laugh today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a GREAT Monday<br /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i><br />
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