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The OEM also announced the following organizational leadership changes: Matthew S. Levatich becomes president and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Levatich, 44, is president and managing director of MV Agusta, the Italian motorcycle maker that Harley-Davidson acquired last August. While at MV, Levatich spearheaded the restarting of MV's operations. In his 15 years at Harley-Davidson, Levatich has held positions of increasing responsibility in the U.S. and Europe, including VP and GM of the company's Parts and Accessories business, and VP of Materials Management. James A. McCaslin moves to EVP for Corporate Product Planning, reporting to the CEO. In this newly created position, McCaslin has broad oversight of motorcycle product planning and development processes across Harley-Davidson, Inc. McCaslin, 60, has served as president of the Motor Company for the past eight years. Enrico D'Onofrio, 51, assumes the post of managing director, MV Agusta. D'Onofrio joined MV Agusta as corporate general director earlier this year, overseeing all administrative functions including finance and human resources. Previously he held senior management positions at motorcycle maker Ducati, including CFO, and at Proctor & Gamble in Europe. All four new appointments take effect May 1. Ziemer last December announced plans to cap his 40-year career with H-D to retire in 2009, and the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors quickly formed a search committee to review internal and external candidate. H-D weathered an 8.2 percent decline in U.S. retail unit sales in 2008. Worldwide retail sales decreased 13.1 percent for the year. In January, the OEM announced a plan to slash its work force by 1,100 jobs over the next two years and reduce shipments for 2009 by between 10 percent and 13 percent to cope with the economic downturn. "Harley-Davidson has a uniquely powerful brand, strong market leadership, and a richness of talented leaders and employees who know this business intimately,” says Harley-Davidson, Inc. board member Barry K. Allen, who serves as the board's presiding director. “Keith's arrival and these other leadership changes make a powerful combination that will advance the great work going on all across the organization to attract new riders, grow our core rider base and expand internationally.” |
