Harley-Davidson
The world's best-known
motorcycle company.
Headquarters:
3700 W. Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Employees: 8,600
CEO: James Ziemer
Stock Symbol: HOG
Website:
http://www.harley-davidson.com
Career Site
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is the world's
best-known motorcycle maker. It is the only major U.S.-based
motorcycle company and produces heavyweight motorcycles along
with a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel,
and general merchandise.
Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary,
produces sport motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services
provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs
to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.
Harley-Davidson shipped 303,479 motorcycles in 2008 (206,309 in the U.S.) and 13,119 Buell units. According to the company, 88% of buyers are male with a median age of 47 years old and median income of over $80,000.
In 2008, the company had revenues of $5.59 billion and net income of $654.7 million.
Harley said it would cut 1,100 jobs this year and close several plants due to lower sales. CEO James Ziemer announced he would retire this year.
History
In 1901, William S. Harley, age 21, completed
a blueprint drawing of an engine designed to fit into a bicycle.
In 1903, Harley and Arthur Davidson make available to the public
the first production Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The bike was
built to be a racer, with a 3-1/8 inch bore and 3-1/2 inch stroke.
The factory in which they worked was a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed
with the words "Harley-Davidson Motor Company" crudely
scrawled on the door. Arthur's brother Walter later joins their
efforts.
Also in 1903, the first Harley-Davidson
Dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago, IL, opens for business and sells
one of the first three production Harley-Davidson motorcycles
ever made.
By 1907, William A. Davidson, brother to
Arthur and Walter Davidson, quits his job as tool foreman for
the Milwaukee Road railroad and joins the Motor Company.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is incorporated
on September 17th. The stock is split four ways between the four
founders, and staff size has more than doubled from the previous
year to eighteen employees. Factory size is doubled as well.
Dealer recruitment begins, targeting the New England region.
In 1910, the famed "Bar & Shield"
logo is used for the first time. It is trademarked at the U.S.
Patent office one year later.
The company would see huge growth during
WWI and one-third of its bikes would be sold to the military.
Harley-Davidson stock would be listed on
the NYSE in 1987.
The company once tried to patent the roaring
sounds made by its engines but abandoned the attempt in 2000.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision
plans
- 401(k) plan
- Pension plan
- Life insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee and family assistance program
- Adoption benefit
- Employee purchase plan
- Computer purchase program
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid holidays and vacation
- Group auto, homeowner's and renter's insurance
Updated February 27, 2009
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