Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1220154
Will 2020 M ark a T urnaround for H.D.? Margaret Naczek, Milwaukee Business Journal, 02 - 06 - 2020 For 117 years Harley - Davidson Inc. has led the market in motorcycles and continues to hold a dominant market share in the U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market. Despite its dominance in motorcycles, fewer people are buying bikes, and the number of U.S. riders are growing at a slow pace. For several consecutive quarters, the company faced declining sales, lower revenue and flat stock prices. With falling sales numbers , 2020 is bec oming a pivotal year for the company founded in 1903. Harley has plans to grow riders to 4 million by 2027, from 3.1 million now, and invest in new markets with its More Roads to Harley - Davidson initiative, which launched in 2018. Some analysts, however, a re uncertain of Harley's ability to achieve such goals. "We are becoming a company that excels and exists to not only build great bikes, but to build riders," Harley - Davidson CEO Matt Levatich said in the company's fourth - quarter conference call. During the call, Levatich listed four target areas that the Harley plans to hit in 2020 to retain early riders, a category segment that the manufacturer has struggled with. The company plans using riders to recruit and coach new riders, allow early riders to experience riding opportunities on their own turn and on their own terms and solidifying rider commitment through experimental opportunities like overnight rides. New motor cycles such as Harley's first electric motorcycle LiveWire, released in September 2019, or the new Pan America adventure touring bike and Bronx Streetfighter bike, which are expected to release late in 2020, are also part of the company's efforts to turn U .S. motorcycle sales around and build a strong ridership base. At least one dealer is hopeful about the strategy. "It's brave if you think about it," said Goran Zadrima , regional manager at Milwaukee and West Bend Harley - Davidson. "A lot of companies in the past have attempted to go after the Harley touring market, and everybody fell on their face trying to take Harley in the touring market. The fact that Harley is get ting into the adventure and the streetfighter market, that's a huge market. There's a lot of good brands out there, but the one thing that Harley has that nobody has anywhere is the dealer network." Appointment with God Jim Birmingham, National VP BSHD FC TIME is one God's most precious gifts to us. How we choose to invest that gift will determine the depth of our relationship with Him. God has given us a free will to decide how we will use our time. He has also given us His wisdom written down in the Bible. Jesus said, "apart from me you can do nothing ." Since Christ can not lie , we know His statement is true. The question is, "How will we exercise that free will regarding how we spend His gift of time ?" Why would we ever begin our day without having a time of devotion with Him ; reading the Bible, worship and prayer? Being in God's presence will transform our minds for the day ahead . It is amazing that the Creator of the universe would want to meet with us like that and share His plan for the things He has called us to accomplish. We are so busy doing " stuff ," we neglect to build our relationship with Him. All of us in Black Sheep are so grateful for the twenty one years that God has given us. We are ex cited to partner with Him to accomplish all the things He has called us to do in 2020 – but I believe that anything Black Sheep will accomplish will begin on our knees. I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ will agree and come before our loving , awesome God each morning and receive the abundant life that Christ came to give. May the Lord richly bless you as you ride for Jesus this year! PAGE 8 / WWW.BLACKSHEEPHDFC.ORG