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[LC110]

A quote from the article on page 2.

When asked who Harley-Davidson’s biggest competition is, Wandell gave a perhaps surprising answer: “our used bikes.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2013/09/harley-davidson-ceo-in-spotlight-again.html

[Para Bellum]

Completely self-serving comment; indicates they don't have any respect or fear of Indian/Victory.

Quote from HD CEO in the article:  "Harley-Davidson hired 400 seasonal workers earlier this year at its York, Pa., plant as part of an overhaul of its manufacturing process and production schedule that delivers bikes to dealers closer to peak sales periods"

Yeah, we can tell by the pizz-poor quality control.

Another quote:  “It worked perfectly,” Wandell said of the new strategy in York, adding that the plant now has the highest levels of quality and safety performance in company history."

Right.

[FLHTCUSE7]

That is actually a very good answer considering that they are publicly traded. (Not saying I agree but it was a good PR answer)

[phato1]

Completely self-serving comment; indicates they don't have any respect or fear of Indian/Victory.

Quote from HD CEO in the article:  "Harley-Davidson hired 400 seasonal workers earlier this year at its York, Pa., plant as part of an overhaul of its manufacturing process and production schedule that delivers bikes to dealers closer to peak sales periods"

Yeah, we can tell by the pizz-poor quality control.

Another quote:  “It worked perfectly,” Wandell said of the new strategy in York, adding that the plant now has the highest levels of quality and safety performance in company history."

Right.

It might not be fair to blame the employees on the line for most of the quality troubles when it seems that the problems experienced with the bikes seem to have more to do with the quality and performance of the pieces they are installing. If the worker installs a set of lifters that fail is it really the assembly workers fault? A bad thermostat assembly?   I think not.  The quality issues we have seen are more the result of a lack of engineering oversight and cost reduction efforts on the part of HD corporate.

I may not agree with "seasonal" workers being used but that decision is driven by the corporate bottom line - and allowed by the collective bargaining agreement with the unions - If my memory is accurate the unions were fighting just to keep the York plant open when the agreement was forged.

[willyB]

It might not be fair to blame the employees on the line for most of the quality troubles when it seems that the problems experienced with the bikes seem to have more to do with the quality and performance of the pieces they are installing. If the worker installs a set of lifters that fail is it really the assembly workers fault? A bad thermostat assembly?   I think not.  The quality issues we have seen are more the result of a lack of engineering oversight and cost reduction efforts on the part of HD corporate.

I may not agree with "seasonal" workers being used but that decision is driven by the corporate bottom line - and allowed by the collective bargaining agreement with the unions - If my memory is accurate the unions were fighting just to keep the York plant open when the agreement was forged.

My favorite saying is: Don't blaim the employee, blaim the manager that allowed them to do it that way!

[FLHTCUSE7]

Anyone think the "Union" is part of the issue at HD? (Steel workers on top of that)

[Rooster]

Don't blame the employee???...Really!...I do, a manager CAN NOT stand beside every employee and hold their hand while they do their job. This employee drilled the screws, with the gasket hanging in the middle of the intake hole. This was not a mistake.

[Para Bellum]

Don't blame the employee???...Really!...I do, a manager CAN NOT stand beside every employee and hold their hand while they do their job. This employee drilled the screws, with the gasket hanging in the middle of the intake hole. This was not a mistake.

This is the kind of thing I'm referring to about quality control on the assembly line.  I certainly don't blame the line workers for the cheap-azz parts they have to use; that's on corporate.

[tazmun]

 I have friends that machine engine and transmission parts in Menomonee Falls, and let them tell
you what they think of those "Seasonal Employees"!!!!! They not only get to work with no benefits,
they don't care about the jobs because they are "Seasonal"!  They get to run machines they never
saw before, and the veteran employees have to show them, and they don't pay attention!!!

Great idea to save the stockholders money!

Taz

 

[willyB]

I have friends that machine engine and transmission parts in Menomonee Falls, and let them tell
you what they think of those "Seasonal Employees"!!!!! They not only get to work with no benefits,
they don't care about the jobs because they are "Seasonal"!  They get to run machines they never
saw before, and the veteran employees have to show them, and they don't pay attention!!!

Great idea to save the stockholders money!

Taz

 

[SDCVO]

If you look at either the US sales records or world wide I have to say that his answer is 100% accurate. Numbers do "tell a tale"...
I was at a tattoo shop a couple of months ago and didn't see a "victory" tattoo available (though there was a "Indian" one but she said she had never done one).

[braymond52]

Anyone think the "Union" is part of the issue at HD? (Steel workers on top of that)

No, I don't think that at all.  How do you equate quality issues with the union? 

[sadunbar]

I don't think the MOCO's problems lie with the workforce - union or not...

I think the MOCO's problems are with engineering failures, poor process control, low cost sourcing of parts and assemblies, and horrendous customer service and customer relations both by the MOCO and their dealer network.  

[Skipper]

A quote from the article on page 2.

When asked who Harley-Davidson’s biggest competition is, Wandell gave a perhaps surprising answer: “our used bikes.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2013/09/harley-davidson-ceo-in-spotlight-again.html

That answer is very much true. I asked my friend who recently bought a used 2009 RK "Why you didn't buy a new one?, I know that you can afford it". He answered me "I bought a Harley, didn't I?
And that is true. New one, old one, Harley is a Harley! 

[JONNIEROCK]

Wandell stated 5 five was to long to develop a bike like most other manufactures do, so shorten it up to three, and it shows in the Rushmore project !! Seasonal employees, well everyone knows how that works out ! lower pay, and why should they care about quality ? By the time the problems crop up, which is now, they are long gone. They have no vested interest in the product, because they are only seasonal.
                Jonnierock