| Author |
Message |
    
Cobradave93
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 07:58 pm: | 
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Growth doesn't always mean profit. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 08:13 pm: |
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Erik is wise to be clear of the mess, perhaps he had the forsite to see this comming, the 200 year plan and all.
did you watch the same video as I did? He didn't look like a happy camper. |
Keef
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 09:31 pm: |
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After Erik wiped off the"brown matter"from his end of the stick that H-D gave him,he is now back in the kitchen so to speak,though a much smaller,more specialized kitchen,that I have had the pleasure sample some of EBRacings goodies and they are good....  |
Oldog
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 09:31 pm: |
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Erik may have had an exit plan b-4 the shutdown, thinking that the growth would secure the brand, his connections would allow him to run the race shop, and things would continue for BMC with Erik now a private citizen, not the BMC fearless leader. I genuinely believe that the whole groups future realy does matter to him to a degree, His true greatness is not just his gift but his concern for the sport and his former employees, hence the apparent state in the message. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 09:41 pm: |
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From his interview, he knew only days before it happened.
I doubt there was much of an exit plan.
That said, he is not without prospects. |
Ratsmc
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 11:51 pm: |
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quote:But, please, this is a solid, stable company with a decent cash reserve.
Not really. They have some very, very serious debt coming due in the next couple of years, debt that would have been no issue if they continued growing but, well, that hasn't happened has it?
They are going to have to either sell or do some really serious refinancing (which will be really hard without government involvement).
I'll grant you that their situation is not as leveraged as GMs but it ain't a far cry.
Mismanagement. Conservatives and Republicans should all be calling for blood. |
Boltrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 01:05 am: |
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I don't care how it happens - I just want Buell to find a showroom again. |
Bcordb3
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 02:34 am: |
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KKS doesn't appear to be nice guys at all. It may be a rough summer for the Mother-ship. Harley out lasted AMF and this hungry bunch is trying the tale of the Dragon on for size. |
Doerman
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 11:40 am: |
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KKR is big enough to do it.
Biggest LBO they have done is $48B and HOG's market cap is $6.8B.
Whether they will or not, that's another story. |
Rex
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 02:34 pm: |
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I hope Erik is out of the mess and KKR doesn't get involved in Buell. But, we do not know what HD still has by holding onto Buell. Maybe discussions were already taking place with KKR. It could be a feather in their cap. they could sell off the Buell assets to someone, and KKR would get the credit for coming up with the ideal and the buyer for Buell. They would look like a hero, and people would think they are great for HD. HD couldn't do it, but KKR can.....just a thought. Usually when we hear rumors, things have already been in motion a long time. Just people denying them. REX |
Larryjohn
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 03:05 pm: |
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If this were true (not sure if it is), KKR would just see Buell as another line item at HD. I am guessing it is somehow listed as an asset somewhere at HD, maybe not directly on the balance sheets, but somewhere - Intellectual property, parts/service, etc. There is likely some expense still associated with all this also.
If KKR (or any other similar firm) were to buy out HD, every decision dealing with Buell would be about $. A Chinese firm could buy the name and patents, etc and use (abuse) the brand to make a few bucks. Think Pacific bicycles and all the classic bicycle names they destroyed - Schwinn, GT, Mongoose. These bikes were this shiz when I was a kid, now they are all Wal-Mart specials.
I would love to see Buell come back and am planning to buy a new Buell by about 2013 (or I will continue to wait for one). But I don't really see anyone or anything saving what we love about Buell except Erik Buell himself. I mean honestly, it would not mean much to me if KKR sold off Buell without having Erik involved. Yeah the current bikes would still exist but I would not hold much hope for the future, I would expect the brand to peter out.
And if KKR did sell off Buell without Erik's involvement wouldn't it suck if Erik then tried to establish his own company. That would be a bit confusing wouldn't it?
On a side note it would be nice if Erik had some sort of "right of first refusal" built into a contract when HD bought Buell. Heck it would be even awesomer, if he had clause giving him the right to re-establish/buy the brand if HD decided to discontinue Buell.
Back on track - I want Buell back and part of me would like HD to see the error of its ways (in a painful manner). I just think in the long run an "organic" Buell, one without a mothership from which crap will inevitably spew, is the best hope for the 200 year plan. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 05:05 pm: |
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>>"If anything is potentially developing near-term," Conder said, "we believe it could be the company forging a joint venture or fee type of arrangement with a depository institution partner" for its in-house finance unit.<< Reuters.
Hey! lets do some cheap low deposit finance!!! |
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