Insolvency shock at HOT-STUFF Salzburg! Harley-Davidson authorized dealer submits own application.
As I heard today, an application for insolvency was filed against HOT-STUFF Handels GmbH , better known as the Harley-Davidson authorized dealer Harley-Davidson Salzburg. A shock for the community, which has always been able to rely on a strong partner for Harley-Davidson. But what does that actually mean exactly?
The bankruptcy was filed as a self-application . This usually means the following:
AKV-Europe, the insolvency application was filed by the company itself, in this case by HOT-STUFF Handels GmbH.
• The company thereby acknowledges that it is insolvent (no longer able to pay outstanding invoices) or is over-indebted (debts exceed its assets).
• A self-filing often signals that management is trying to handle the insolvency in an orderly manner in order to minimize damage to creditors and employees.
HOT-STUFF at the European Bike Week 2022 at Lake Faaker See
This move suggests that the company is trying to resolve the situation in a transparent and orderly manner rather than moving on and making things worse. Nevertheless, the opening of bankruptcy proceedings is a clear indication that a direct restructuring is not being sought, but that the company is likely to be wound up.
HOT-STUFF Salzburg will remain closed until December 14th
The Harley-Davidson store in Salzburg has been closed since December 7th and the doors will remain locked until at least December 14th. Further information about the future of the company will follow on this day. Until then, it remains unclear what will happen next for HOT-STUFF Handels GmbH .
This is bitter news for many Harley fans in the region. HOT-STUFF Salzburg was not only a dealer, but also an important contact point for the Harley-Davidson community.
One of the most pressing questions concerns the company's online shop. Many customers wonder what happens to outstanding orders placed before the bankruptcy filing. So far there have been no official statements about this, which further increases the uncertainty. I assume that the shop business was completed prior to the application, but clarity will not be available until December 14th at the earliest.
Now the question is what happens next. Will the company turn around? Or are we seeing the end of a well-known dealer? Until then it's a matter of waiting - both for the Harley community and for affected customers.
I'll keep you updated as soon as there are new details.
Andermatt Freedom Ride: Where freedom meets the Alps.
From July 11th to 13th, 2025, Andermatt will once again be the meeting point for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world. The Andermatt Freedom Ride, a unique Harley-Davidson event, offers unforgettable experiences for everyone who loves freedom and adventure on two wheels.
ZUG, DECEMBER 10, 2024 – After the success this summer, the event will be held again in 2025 – even bigger, longer and better. A varied program awaits participants over three days, offering not only driving pleasure, but also music, entertainment and culinary highlights.
• Fantastic motorcycle routes through the legendary Alpine passes
• Live concerts and energetic music in the biker spirit
• Highlights for newcomers and off-road enthusiasts
Harley-Davidson lifestyle pure – celebrated in unique diversity.
Further information and the detailed program will be announced in the coming months: andermattfreedomride.ch .
Harley-Davidson's Pipeline Logistics Concept: Review, Challenges and Outlook
Harley-Davidson dealers want a return to a transparent system to better serve customers.
With the pipeline logistics concept, Harley-Davidson once created a modern, innovative system that offered enormous advantages to dealers across Europe. It allowed them to view the importer's inventory in real time and order directly. This enabled retailers to provide their customers with precise and customer-oriented advice. Delivery times could be planned transparently and reliably.
Another advantage: dealers had insight into machines that were in production (“in production”), including the expected completion date, as well as machines that had already been produced and were on the way to the European central warehouse (“on water”) . This transparency made work easier and strengthened customer loyalty.
This innovative logistics system made it possible to network retailers transparently and efficiently.
Challenges and an unexpected system change
The retailers were happy with this concept, but it also presented challenges. A few retailers took advantage of the system to place so-called “hamster orders” when popular models or colors became visible in the pipeline. This gave them unfair advantages over other traders who worked reputably. Nevertheless, the belief remains that these weaknesses could have been remedied with small adjustments without calling the entire concept into question.
Other brands, including Triumph, have even adopted Harley-Davidson's pipeline system - a testament to its innovative strength and efficiency. It was all the more surprising that Harley-Davidson abolished the concept against the will of the dealers and replaced it with the “Managed Supply” system.
“The pipeline logistics concept not only enabled an overview of inventory levels, but also helped to fulfill individual customer requests more quickly.”
Global markets thrive on a continuous and always up-to-date flow of information
Managed Supply: A system with massive weaknesses
The managed supply system meant a significant step backwards for retailers and customers. Instead of influencing the model, color and equipment themselves, they were assigned machines. This allocation often resulted in dealers not purchasing unsuitable machines, while other dealers urgently needed exactly these models - but had no information about their availability.
The result: inventories in the central warehouse grew, and Harley-Davidson's field sales employees were increasingly busy organizing redistributions between dealers. This additional effort caused dissatisfaction on all sides.
Return to more transparency
Harley-Davidson has now recognized that eliminating the pipeline system was a mistake and is now gradually working toward a return to a more transparent system. Dealers can now view the stocks of other dealers again and inquire directly whether a particular machine is being sold. Transport is at your own expense.
What is still missing is complete transparency about the stocks in the central warehouse, machines in production and those that are on the water. This information would be essential for retailers to plan efficiently and offer their customers optimal service. However, this important step has not yet been taken.
A relevant interview with Harley-Davidson Europe boss Kolja Rebstock
The vision is a modern logistics concept for the future
Dealers want to see a return to a system consistent with the original pipeline concept, with full transparency on unsold stock vehicles, production vehicles and vehicles on their way to Europe. This transparency is the key to serving customers as needed and making the dealer network more efficient.
Such a system would be in everyone’s interest – the dealers, the customers and ultimately also the importer. Harley-Davidson has proven in the past that it can be a pioneer in innovation. There is great hope that an improved logistics concept will be implemented at the beginning of 2025 that builds on the strengths of the pipeline system and at the same time eliminates possible weak points. This is the only way Harley-Davidson can continue to meet the demands of everyone involved in the future.
“A full return to the pipeline system would not only benefit retailers but also customers in the long term.“
December 3, 2024 – Harley conversion from England wins European Custombike Championship
From November 29th to December 1st, 2024, Bad Salzuflen was once again dominated by the European custom bike scene. More than 21,000 visitors flocked to the East Westphalian city not to miss the largest trade fair for converted motorcycles on the continent. With three exhibition halls, over 23,000 square meters of exhibition space, around 186 international exhibitors and 252 spectacular custom bikes from all over Europe, the CUSTOMBIKE show has once again set standards.
For the first time, a moped build-off was held in Bad Salzuflen. During two days of the trade fair, the Töffliheizer Ostfriesland and the VEB-Design team fought an exciting duel, which the VEB-Design team narrowly won with their “Interflug Schwalbe” after a dramatic finale. They entered the trade fair history books as the first winners of the “German Räng-Däng-Däng-Build-Off”.
European Biker Build-Off: Exciting screwdriver duel
Things got a lot bigger at the European Biker Build-Off. Two custom bikes were set up on the large show stage in front of the audience. The teams from USM Motorcycles from Germany and Vhard Motorworks from Poland fought a close duel. USM impressed with a gold-red racer based on an Indian Sport Scout, while Vhard Motorworks opted for a matt black Harley-Davidson Softail with gold leaf details. In the end, USM won with a narrow majority of 48 votes - the title went to a conversion based on an Indian for the third year in a row.
European Custombike Championship: Victory for England
The European championship title and the prize money of 12,000 euros went to England this year. Vic Jefford and his wife Lin impressed with their “Platinum”, a home-built Harley V2 with impressive technical details such as battery-operated drum brakes in the rear wheel hub. The victory was considered deserved by all participants.
Further highlights of the CUSTOMBIKE show 2024
• Charity projects : Various projects collected donations for charitable purposes. These include the “Patchwork Bike” and the “Fukker 2.0”, the proceeds of which went to children with cancer.
• Supporting program : Spectacular shows, including the FUEL GIRLS with their fire show, Jagath Perera in the steep wall and musical performances by Jimmy Cornett.
• Special exhibition : “60 years of Simson Schwalbe” with the 92-year-old designer Erhard Werner, who shared anecdotes and autographs.
Winners of the European Custombike Championship 2024:
• Craziest Bike : Homemade with Suzuki GS 500 drive – Krystian Winzer (Poland)
• Best Moped : Innocenti Lambretta Li 150 – Christian Schneider (Germany)
• Rookie of the Year : Kawasaki LTD 440 – Annabel Weiß (Germany)
