Jim Ziemer, President, CEO and 40 year veteran of Harley Davidson will be retiring in 2009. Whoever takes the helm of the Motor Company now will have the opportunity to navigate through an interesting business environment, it should be an exciting ride.
Press release follows:
Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer James L. Ziemer has informed the Board of Directors that he intends to retire in 2009, capping a 40-year career with the Company. The Board of Directors has formed a search committee to review both internal and external candidates. Ziemer will remain in his current role until a new CEO is in place.
“Jim Ziemer has dedicated his entire professional career to Harley- Davidson and has been a great advocate for the Company,” commented Board Chairman Jeffrey L. Bleustein. “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. As an avid and lifelong motorcyclist, Jim also exemplifies the great legacy and spirit of Harley-Davidson.”
Ziemer is a native Milwaukeean who grew up in the neighborhood next to Harley-Davidson’s original Milwaukee factory location on the city’s west side. He started with the Company in 1969 as a freight elevator operator while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Upon earning his undergraduate degree in accounting at UWM, he joined the accounting department where he spent the majority of his career. He was named the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in 1990. In 2005, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. Ziemer also serves on the Board of Directors of Textron, Inc.
“Working at Harley-Davidson has been an honor and privilege and has fulfilled a life-long dream for me,” said Ziemer. “I am extremely proud of what our outstanding team of employees and dealers has accomplished together. There is always new and exciting work to be done on Harley-Davidson’s epic journey, and I have great confidence that the powerful combination of our employees, customers and dealers around the world and their passion will continue to fuel the strength of the brand. I am delighted to be able to spend more time with my family and am enthusiastic about the Company’s tremendous opportunities and its prospects for success in the years to come.”
Walt says
Harley is a well-managed company facing some significant challenges.
The economy: when you’re worried about having a job, it’s a no brainer to put off buying a two-wheeled toy that costs $10K to $40K (one customized Road King I saw at the recent Toyota/Cycle World show). That show was just a shell of its former self, with both locals and the majors (BMW) missing. The industry is hurting.
Demographics: Hogs appeal to the Wild Ones/Easy Rider generation (that would be my generation). What do 20-somethings ride? HD has the same problem that made Cadillac queue up Led Zeppelin music and wedge a Corvette V-8 in a sedan: creeping oldsterness.
I’m hoping the next CEO can solve both problems.
justpete says
I’ve already seen it done at a few bike shows. (Speaking of shoeing in a vette motor into a caddy) A lot of guys are turning the VRod in to a full on bagger. Wether that is just a trend coming and going but I know I’ve seen plenty of other comments suggesting that Harley use the Revo engine in a touring bike. And yes, hopefully a new change in leadership can convince Willy G to make some new changes in the line up and not just new paint, aftermarket parts and a bigger $ tag.
Skizick says
Harley is aware of changing times. Adopting Mr. Buell’s influences is a good example. In the 60’s an attempt was made to offer a full like of bikes. Aramacchi was inlisted. AMF brought twostrokes back into their lineup in the 70’s. The market was there, Harley just didn’t come up with a viable product to fill it. Hopefully these were lessons well learned. Today’s market is well covered with cruisers and crotch rockets from HD’s barn. Entry level is touched on by the Blast. A more versatle (dual purpose) offering in a Blast size seems like a good move. Keeping young blood around the desision making process should be encouraged. The oldies should be kept close too because experience and treachery are still valuable trates.
todd says
The interesting thing is I don’t hear Harley asking for bailout funds. There must be a lot of room in their pricing.
I think the Adventure touring bike market has the most growth potential, entry level riders have been convinced 1200cc bikes are good enough to start on. I’d rather see some update to the Blast and possibly a new Topper.
-todd