Harley-Davidson looks at 4 states in plant move
By DAN STRUMPF AP Auto Writer
NEW YORK—Harley-Davidson Inc. is considering sites in four states for a possible relocation of its main motorcycle plant in Pennsylvania, a company spokesman said Friday.
Company and union officials toured locations in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Shelbyville, Ind., Shelbyville, Ky., and Kansas City, Mo., over the last week as the company assesses a possible move, Bob Klein said. No other locations are being considered, he added.
Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson announced in May it was exploring a relocation of its motorcycle assembly facility in York, Pa., which employs 2,300 people. Though the company's preferred path is to stay in York, Klein said, the factory is inefficient and has too much capacity. A decision is expected later this year.
Pennsylvania officials are fighting to keep the plant in York. Earlier this month, Gov. Ed Rendell said the state was developing an economic package that includes job training and infrastructure, low-interest loans and $15 million for plant upgrades to induce Harley to stay.
The plant opened in 1973, but some of the buildings date back to World War II. In addition, the large number of job classifications in the union contract makes it difficult to shift workers into different duties, the company has said.
Klein said if the company does decide to relocate the plant, the new facility would likely have a "smaller work force and a smaller footprint."
The York facility is Harley's largest motorcycle
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factory and makes its Touring and Softail models, as well as some custom models. Workers there approved a new contract in 2007 after a two-week strike.
A relocation to Kansas City could be a convenient move for Harley. The city already has a Harley plant, which makes the Sportster, V-Rod and Dyna motorcycles and opened in 1998. It also has a vacant property next to the facility.
The possible move is part of a broad cost-cutting plan that Harley, the top maker of heavyweight motorcycles, launched in January. The company has been battling shrinking profits and a downturn in sales of its iconic bikes.
Last month, the company reported a 91 percent plunge in its second-quarter profit and announced plans to cut another 1,000 employees.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Megan Fox tops sexy passenger list by British bikers
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 07:33 | PostAuthorIconWritten by The Staff of OMM | PDF | Print | E-mail
Megan Fox top British biker listShe may not know how to ride a motorcycle herself, but sexy superstar Megan Fox roared to the top of a recent poll asking male British bikers who they would like in the saddle with them.
Conducted by a British insurance company Swinton Insurance, winners in the poll were a mix of nationalities from both sides of the pond, all with one thing in common.
Everyone of them are incredibly sexy.
A survey of 1,000 motorcycle insurance customers looking at top passengers found that the Transformers star was most popular, closely followed by an English actress who leapt to fame on a British teen soap opera in 2006.
Television personality as well as glamour and lingerie model Gemma Atkinson came in second for who British bikers would like to take for a ride on the their motorcycle according to Swinton Insurance. Like the winner of the survey, Gemma has had no experience riding a motorcycle herself.
Megan Fox tops British Biker pollWith 580 branches across the United Kingdom, Swinton insurance customers would appear to be a fair sampling of British bikers and their taste in passengers.
At least the third and fourth place winners have been seen on a motorcycle. Winner number three, Jessica Alba and her character in Dark Angel spent some time on two wheels.
Number four not only has appeared on the big screen enjoying a bike ride in numerous roles, Angelina Jolie's other half, Brad Pitt could be considered one of the more famous motorcycle enthusiasts. The sexy Tomb Raider managed to find herself twisting a throttle in every movie excursion.
Looking back to Britain for winner number five, another English actress who found fame on a British soap and more recently appeared in the 2009 movie, Land of the Lost, Anna Friel.
"Men are quite fickle when it comes to their favorite celebrity women," Anthony Aronin, Head of Swinton motorbike Insurance said, "Each year the list changes and this year it's Megan Fox that's on top. Clearly bikers like their action women, as both Angelina and Jessica play athletic roles."
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 07:33 | PostAuthorIconWritten by The Staff of OMM | PDF | Print | E-mail
Megan Fox top British biker listShe may not know how to ride a motorcycle herself, but sexy superstar Megan Fox roared to the top of a recent poll asking male British bikers who they would like in the saddle with them.
Conducted by a British insurance company Swinton Insurance, winners in the poll were a mix of nationalities from both sides of the pond, all with one thing in common.
Everyone of them are incredibly sexy.
A survey of 1,000 motorcycle insurance customers looking at top passengers found that the Transformers star was most popular, closely followed by an English actress who leapt to fame on a British teen soap opera in 2006.
Television personality as well as glamour and lingerie model Gemma Atkinson came in second for who British bikers would like to take for a ride on the their motorcycle according to Swinton Insurance. Like the winner of the survey, Gemma has had no experience riding a motorcycle herself.
Megan Fox tops British Biker pollWith 580 branches across the United Kingdom, Swinton insurance customers would appear to be a fair sampling of British bikers and their taste in passengers.
At least the third and fourth place winners have been seen on a motorcycle. Winner number three, Jessica Alba and her character in Dark Angel spent some time on two wheels.
Number four not only has appeared on the big screen enjoying a bike ride in numerous roles, Angelina Jolie's other half, Brad Pitt could be considered one of the more famous motorcycle enthusiasts. The sexy Tomb Raider managed to find herself twisting a throttle in every movie excursion.
Looking back to Britain for winner number five, another English actress who found fame on a British soap and more recently appeared in the 2009 movie, Land of the Lost, Anna Friel.
"Men are quite fickle when it comes to their favorite celebrity women," Anthony Aronin, Head of Swinton motorbike Insurance said, "Each year the list changes and this year it's Megan Fox that's on top. Clearly bikers like their action women, as both Angelina and Jessica play athletic roles."
Monday, October 5, 2009
FEMALE JOURNALISTS ON THE LATEST HARLEYS
Female journalists ride an 'All American Road' on the latest Harleys
Saturday, 03 October 2009 09:18 | PostAuthorIconWritten by The Staff of OMM | PDF Print E-mail
National and international female motorcycle journalists grabbed the handlebars of new 2010 Harley-Davidson® models and took to the roads out for a four-day tour one of the "Top 10 Scenic Drives" in the Northern Rockies last month.
Organized by the Idaho Division of Tourism, the women’s ride took place on September 18-21 and featured The International Selkirk Loop, one of only 27 “All American Roads” named in the National Scenic Byways Program.
The four–day, 705-mile excursion along the picturesque Selkirk Loop, which meanders through northern Idaho, then heads north into British Columbia, and finally crisscrosses back along the eastern edge of Washington.
According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, one of the biggest shifts taking place in motorcycle riding today is the growth and impact of female riders.
In fact, since 1998 the number of women riding motorcycles has grown 36 percent, with the majority holding technical/professional jobs or college degrees.
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In organizing this event, Idaho Division of Tourism partnered with Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Spokane, Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau; and hotel/restaurant partners along the International Selkirk Loop to assist in facilitating and accommodating the media ride.
“We love combining niche markets such as scenic byways, motorcycling, fall foliage and girlfriend getaways in one creative promotional effort,” said Karen Ballard, Idaho Division of Tourism Administrator.
“It is so rewarding to expand the reach of our great tourism product and once again illustrate our brand, Adventures in Living with our collaborative partners, Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies and Harley Davidson,” Ballard noted.
Saturday, 03 October 2009 09:18 | PostAuthorIconWritten by The Staff of OMM | PDF Print E-mail
National and international female motorcycle journalists grabbed the handlebars of new 2010 Harley-Davidson® models and took to the roads out for a four-day tour one of the "Top 10 Scenic Drives" in the Northern Rockies last month.
Organized by the Idaho Division of Tourism, the women’s ride took place on September 18-21 and featured The International Selkirk Loop, one of only 27 “All American Roads” named in the National Scenic Byways Program.
The four–day, 705-mile excursion along the picturesque Selkirk Loop, which meanders through northern Idaho, then heads north into British Columbia, and finally crisscrosses back along the eastern edge of Washington.
According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, one of the biggest shifts taking place in motorcycle riding today is the growth and impact of female riders.
In fact, since 1998 the number of women riding motorcycles has grown 36 percent, with the majority holding technical/professional jobs or college degrees.
94
In organizing this event, Idaho Division of Tourism partnered with Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Spokane, Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau; and hotel/restaurant partners along the International Selkirk Loop to assist in facilitating and accommodating the media ride.
“We love combining niche markets such as scenic byways, motorcycling, fall foliage and girlfriend getaways in one creative promotional effort,” said Karen Ballard, Idaho Division of Tourism Administrator.
“It is so rewarding to expand the reach of our great tourism product and once again illustrate our brand, Adventures in Living with our collaborative partners, Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies and Harley Davidson,” Ballard noted.
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