Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/793848
OPINION FROM THE EDITOR www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • March 13, 2017 • 11 Eric Cagle, president of Tucker Rocky | Biker's Choice, has seen plenty of change in his first handful of months on the job in Fort Worth. Sounds like Cagle, who brings a quarter century of third party logistics experience to the second job in his lifetime, might have a few more forward- thinking changes in place as Tucker celebrates its 50th anniversary. Following nearly two full days on the show floor at the company's Dealer and Brand Expo in Frisco, Cagle used a press conference to meet with moto media on hand to see the latest parts and accessories for 2017. Kenan Ikels, vice president of sales since coming on board in September, and Charlie Hadayia, the former S&S Cycle exec who joined Tucker Rocky | Biker's Choice in 2011 and is now senior director of merchan- dising, joined Cagle in discussing current and future plans for the company. While dealers were furiously signing up for show specials with vendors, it's Cagle's goal to develop- ment that relationship between the dealer, vendor and Tucker even further. "Our mission is to provide the most relevant, com- pelling brands to our dealers to help them improve their customer service and build a more profitable business," Cagle said. Cagle said that while interviewing with CEO Andy Graves, and then visiting with the staff at Tucker's Fort Worth headquarters, he found an ideal professional situation. "I was looking for an organization that had a simi- lar culture and values that I had at Caterpillar," he said. "When I chose to leave Caterpillar after all that time there, I thought I'd have a hard time finding that. I got to the values that they live every day here, and decided that that's the place I want to be, and be for the rest of my working career." In order to get product to the dealer who can then sell it to the customer, Cagle is focused on investment and improving collaboration and culture. "In 2017, just like in 2016, we're making substan- tial investments in Tucker Rocky," he said. "This month we're completing the multimillion dollar roll- out of our dealer portal that will significantly enhance the order entry process with our dealers. It will allow us to communicate more effectively with the dealers on content, introducing products, promotions and information that will help them to be more effective in their dealership." Similarly, the system will provide intelligence to vendor partners that will allow them capitalize on sales data and "help them shape their marketing campaigns and be more effective in the dollars they spent to create end user demand," Cagle said. "Significant changes or additions" will continue to shape the Tucker Rocky staff lineup. Personnel invest- ments in areas of inventory management, industrial engineering, business analytics, sales analytics, and warranty and returns administration are ahead in order to provide a more professional experience for dealers. "What we consistently hear is that our sales force is second to none. Our dealers rely on that relation- ship with our sales force, and we want to enhance that by taking any operating issues out of that relationship so that those sales folks can focus on making our dealers more effective on the showroom floor, getting the right product to customers and improving customer satisfaction." Continuing, Cagle said that collaboration within the company and with its vendors and dealers, will improve the fill rate. "We think we have a significant opportunity to provide better service to our dealers," he said. Finally, Cagle is aiming to build a culture that starts with its passionate and dedicated employees. "I joined Tucker Rocky because I could identify with the culture. It's a place where I feel I can add value. We've gone through quite a few changes the last few years, and I'm going to be introducing some changes myself with some of the staff additions. I view all of these additions to the culture. We want to pro- vide our employees with more and better tools so that they can do their job more effectively." PRESENTATIONS FOR AIMEXPO WANTED There's still time to submit a proposal for a seminar presentation at the Powersports DEALER Seminars @ AIMExpo, sponsored by Yamalube. Do you (and others!) consider yourself an expert in your field in our industry? You're exactly the type of person we're seeking to provide dealers with insight and intelligence. Deadline is March 15. Complete the online applica- tion at www.surveymonkey.com/r/9GPKT62. The Powersports DEALER Seminars @ AIMExpo will take place Sept. 21-22 in Columbus, Ohio. Presentations should range from fundamental to advanced in nature, with the ability to reach a wide spectrum of dealership personnel. Because of your presentation, dealers will leave the sessions with profit-accelerating ideas for success. PSB Dave McMahon is editor in chief of Powersports Business. Contact him at 763/383-4411 or dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com. 1. Yamaha launches CRUX Rev motorcycle in Africa 2. No. 1 service department named by Harley-Davidson 3. $140K flying ORV powered by Polaris engine (video) 4. BRP unveils 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX family 5. Victory dealers largely surprised by closure 6. Yamaha reveals 2017 Special Edition YXZ1000R SS 7. Law firm to investigate Arctic Cat acquisition 8. New Holland, Textron unveil Rustler 850 9. Investment bank seeks to bring Excelsior-Henderson back to market 10. Levatich on meeting Trump, corporate tax reform 11. Indian announces custom Project Chieftain contest 12. Kawasaki announces Q3 results 13. Yamaha Motorsports Group announces staff changes 14. 2017 Moto Guzzi V7III range makes U.S. debut 15. Arctic Cat introduces 2017 Wildcat SE models The headlines above belong to the most frequently viewed articles from Powersports Business' three-times weekly e-news during the Jan. 30 – Feb. 22 period. The number is based on the percentage of e-news viewers who clicked on the article's headline. To subscribe to e-news, go to www.bit.ly/PSBEnewsSignup. WHAT'S THE HOTTEST INDUSTRY TOPIC? Powersports Business blog ONLINE WITH POWERSPORTSBUSINESS.COM Leading industry executives and dealer consultants are among the contributors to PSB's blog. See below for recent blogs. Tucker Rocky investments plan to benefit dealers, too Visit powersportsbusiness.com/blogs PSB launches Instagram page Powersports Business has launched its own Instagram page to share our industry stories, and we've just surpassed our first 140 followers. From Taco Tuesdays in the office to snapshots of the Minneapolis IMS, our Instagram page proves to be both fun and educational. Follow @powersportsbusiness at www.instagram. com/powersportsbusiness today to see our travel pic- tures, new model reveals, daily life at PSB and more. JACKSON SMITH Parts and Service Manager, Destination Powersports By building networks with other companies, you will strengthen and broaden your company's visibility and potential customer base. Having other company's customers see your prod- ucts increases exposure, which can be limited by traditional advertising. COLLEEN MALLOY Director of Marketing, ARI When was the last time you saw a customer walking your lot with their smartphone in hand? My guess is that it wasn't that long ago — 79 percent of shoppers will conduct research online while browsing in-store. LIZ KEENER Senior Editor, Powersports Business I've talked to many people in the industry who can put their finger exactly on the memory that made them a lifetime enthusiast. If each of us can offer that moment to just one kid, that's a positive sign for the future. KIM ROCCO Director of Marketing, DX1 Did you know there are also apps available for your computer? These "desktop apps" have their own specific app stores (like Microsoft App store or Apple App store), just like mobile apps. Eric Cagle, president of Tucker Rocky | Biker's Choice, has seen plenty of change in his first handful of months on the job in Fort Worth. Sounds like Cagle, who brings a quarter century of third party logistics DAVE McMAHON WHAT THEY'RE SAYING... ON NAPOLEON TETREAULT'S BLOG POST Great reminder. I'm sharing this with my staff. Thanks for coming by to see us at the TR Dealer Expo! ON BMW NORTH AMERICA SALES ARTICLE The sky is not falling, just adjusting to reality after several years of automotive style "book cooking" by the previous regime. He is not there anymore. I hear many brands and markets suffer from this, I look forward to moving forwards closer to the truth. ON THE SPECIAL EDITION YAMAHA YXZ1000R SS FACEBOOK POST Awesome! Great machine, love the color and options. Best SxS available today. Love the paddle shifting, so easy and efficient. ON LIZ KEENER'S BLOG POST Really good article! Maybe we all need to look at things in our dealership thru kid's eyes and it just might open ours up!!