Former S&S Cycle Chief Brett Smith Joins Baja Motorsports
Brett Smith, former president of S&S Cycle, one of the leading names in American v-twin motorcycles, has been named head of Baja Motorsports' U.S. operations. Smith currently is traveling in China where he is visiting Baja factories and component suppliers.
Quote from the article:
Source: Former S&S Cycle Chief Brett Smith Joins Baja Motorsports
Quote from the article:
I’ll be providing more information on this major move when Smith returns to the U.S. and gets settled into his new position. In the meantime, here is information on Smith and Baja in a Q&A session that I developed with Smith. Baja Motorsports is based in Tempe, Ariz., where it operates a 70,000 sq. ft. parts, service and warehouse/office facility. It sells Chinese-made powersports equipment primarily through big box retailers such as Pep Boys. Service is provided through a network of some 1,000 independent service shops in North America. Baja was launched in 2004 by Richard Godfrey, president and CEO, Jennifer Andrew, vice president of operations/CFO, and Ryan Daugherty, vice president of sales and marketing. In the first year, Baja posted sales of $6.5 million. The next year the partners sold a 30% share of Baja to Techtronic Industries, Inc. (TTI) and recorded sales of nearly $70 million. TTI, based in Hong Kong, owns a portfolio of consumer products that includes Milwaukee, AEG and Ryobi power tools and accessories, Stiletto hand tools, Ryobi and Homelite outdoor products, and Hoover, Dirt Devil and Vax floor care appliances. Its products are distributed through major home centers, and it posted sales of $US 3.4 billion in 2008. In 2007, TTI upped its ownership to 75% of Baja, and Andrew cashed out her investment and left the company. Daugherty left the next year, and Godfrey left in 2009. Smith served as president at S&S, the Viola, Wis., an internationally-recognized developer of V-twin engines and performance parts, for six and a half years before resigning in December 2008. Smith is the son of George Smith and grandson of S&S founders George and Marge Smith. During his tenure at S&S, Smith assisted with the formation of the American V-twin Aftermarket Committee of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), helped establish EPA and CARB certified engine programs and served as an advocate for the V-twin industry internationally. He was also instrumental in the development and release of the 50-state 2010 emissions compliant S&S X-Wedge engine. Smith is a graduate of West Point and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. Currently, Smith and his wife own a Living Word Parable Christian Store franchise serving southwest Wisconsin. The store offers books, gifts, inspirational and sympathy cards, jewelry, music, videos, and apparel—along with church supplies and curriculum; it also sponsors/facilitates guest speakers, seminars, and holy pilgrimage trips. |
Source: Former S&S Cycle Chief Brett Smith Joins Baja Motorsports
