Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/803676
30 • April 3, 2017 • Powersports Business ATV/UTV www.PowersportsBusiness.com the Littleton, Colorado-based company. Most of the manufacturing is done by a company in Commerce City, Colorado, but Hornet also contracts with manufacturers in Buffalo and Forest Lake, Minnesota. Hornet handles much of the final assembly and machined parts in-house. Because of Hornet Outdoors' R&D process and U.S. manufacturing, the company is able to quickly turnaround products and introduce them into the market with ease. Though roofs and racks have moved well for Hornet, its current bestseller is the Ranger Tool Hooks. The $89.95 product comes with two hooks that attach to a Polaris Ranger bed and allow for quick and secure attachment of shovels, rakes, trimmers, or other tools. "We tried it … and the thing just went off the map. It's the craziest thing. It's just one you wouldn't expect," Galley said. Another Hornet product that will soon hit the market is the UTV Roll Bar POV Cam- era Mount. The company tested a number of camera mounts in the snowmobile and ATV/ UTV market and found many didn't work well, weren't sturdy, or they weren't universal. "We integrated a Fast Clamp into an adjust- able universal arm … and it's really solid. It installs on 1-1/2 to 1-3/4-inch tubing," Galley said. "It's reasonably priced; it works really well; it's solid, and I think it's unique." He pointed out that about 90 percent of Hornet's products are those you won't find from any other company. Hornet has filed for several patents. "All of the products were just literally born out of use and necessity, like a lot of small com- panies. And we just built them because nobody else did," he said. This uniqueness has helped Hornet launch partnerships with distributors and dealers. Western Power Sports and Kimpex both carry the full Hornet Outdoors line, while Parts Unlimited has private labeled the Hornet prod- uct under its Moose brand. Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and 10 online retailers also carry Hornet Outdoors. And Hornet Outdoors offers a dealer direct program that has been picked up by more than 50 dealers. "Overall, we're just really, really pleased with the line and the acceptance of the prod- ucts across the board," Galley said. Sales in 2015 were great, while in 2016 they were still good, while softer than the year prior, Galley reported. However, with additional distributor and dealer partners, the company is looking forward to 2017. "We think the market overall, in talking to dealers, is more optimistic," he said. "When we combine that with the fact that our channels are more developed and more mature, I think that '17 is going to be a good year." PSB HORNET CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 Cub Cadet launches Challenger 550, 750 UTVs New side-by-sides bring customization options Ohio-based Cub Cadet revealed in March two new utility vehicle models designed around the consumer with capability and customization in mind. The new Cub Cadet Challenger 550 and 750 models are the latest additions to the Cub Cadet utility vehicle family, providing industry-leading standard features and limitless customization opportunities. The Challenger 550 brings a $9,999.99 MSRP, with the 750 at $10,999.99. The Chal- lenger 750 camo is $11,299.99. The automotive-style cockpit design includes interior and exterior door handles, a tilting steering wheel, open storage and closed glove box. Premium sculpted seats, along with sophisticated, adjustable suspension shocks provide driver and passenger comfort over rough terrain. Standard high-sided sealed doors elimi- nate the need for intrusive hip and shoulder restraints and offer splash protection from dirt, mud and water. The exclusive cab design provides an attractive profile design, with sleek headlights, a standard roof, sealed rollover protection structure (ROPS) and sealed wind- shield. The new Challenger models can be completely weather-sealed in minutes with the quick addition of optional upper doors and a rear window. With modular accessory attachment capa- bilities, the Challenger 550 and 750 allow for endless customization possibilities. A front accessory mounting panel above the windshield allows the Challenger 550 and 750 to be configured with a variety of items, including LED light kits or other aftermarket electronic accessories. The exclusive rear mounting rack and accessory rack tubes save cargo bed space while enabling limitless accessory-mounting pos- sibilities, including a gun boot, chainsaw boot and a spare tire mount. "Customization of utility vehicles is extremely important according to the cus- tomers we continually talk with," said Tom Mielke, UTV product marketing manager for Cub Cadet. "We've designed the Challenger Series with exclusive features that give owners the power to customize their utility vehicle for the challenges they face — at the farm, ranch, off-road or in the woods. These new additions continue to raise the bar on standard features, designed around what people want to do with their UTV while also improving style, comfort and convenience." See Cub Cadet, Page 31 Cub Cadet has released its Challenger 550 and 750 models. The UTV Roll Bar POV Camera Mount is one of the new- est products from Hornet Outdoors.