On March 28, just 15 months after breaking ground for development, KTM North America and parent company Pierer Mobility celebrated the opening of their new North American headquarters in Murrieta, California.
Attending the event were Stefan Pierer, CEO of Pierer Mobility AG; member of the global board of directors of Pierer Mobility AG; employees of KTM North America, including members of the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas factory racing teams; local politicians and dignitaries; and many guests.
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“This is an emotional day for me,” Pierer said. “Exactly 30 years ago, I started in the US with just over a dozen employees. Today, we’re Europe’s leading two-wheeler group of motorized vehicles, and we’re selling around 100,000 a year in the US market – so more than $1 billion in sales. The most important success factor for us is racing; That’s what motivated us over the years. Building our new North American headquarters in Murrieta is the largest investment we have ever made. We set a new standard for the entire US market.”
Pierer stated that North America is Pierer Mobility’s most important market, which secured a $53 million investment in the new headquarters campus.
Pierer Mobility AG acquired KTM in bankruptcy in 1992, when it had only 160 employees and sold only 6,300 motorcycles that year. Under Pierer’s management, KTM grew slowly but steadily, but over the past decade its growth has accelerated.
In 2013, Pierer expanded its brand footprint by purchasing legendary Swedish off-road vehicle brand Husqvarna from BMW, and in 2019 it acquired Spanish off-road vehicle brand GasGas. Pierer Mobility AG also owns WP Suspension and the Felt and R Raymon bike brands.
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In 2022, three decades after Pierer acquired KTM, KTM Group produced 375,492 motorcycles, up 13% compared to 2021. Of these, 268,575 (71.5%) were KTM, 75,266 (20%) ) are Husqvarna and 31,651 (8.5%). GasGas motorbike. In the same year, Pierer also produced 118,465 electric pedal and powered bicycles for its Husqvarna, GasGas, Felt and R Raymon brands.
Last year, Pierer also bought a 25% stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta, which will support distribution and marketing in North America and other markets.
Pierer Mobility AG is heavily dependent on gas, generating sales of €2.437 billion in 2022, up 19% from 2021. The company currently employs 6,000 workers globally, including 360 in North America. — more than 200 of which are based in Murrieta, California.
John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America, Inc. and Pierer Mobility North America, Inc. also attended the opening, and he called the event a “major milestone in the history of our company.”
“Our campus and facilities are our company’s biggest investment,” said Hinz, “so thank you, Mr. Pierer. We designed these buildings for our employees, teams, athletes, and indeed our dealers across North America to help support our brands and support sales. This new campus not only showcases the facility as a tool for our employees and dealers, but also our commitment, dedication and investment in the motorcycle and bicycle industry. in North America.”
The new headquarters occupies a 20-acre site consisting of three buildings totaling 130,000 square feet. The two-story administrative building includes office and conference space, agency facilities and technical training, space for the media team, and Kiska’s North American design center. The powersports building houses the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas factory racing teams, WP Suspension and R&D facilities. A third building serves as a warehouse.
Pierer Mobility also purchased an additional 12 acres located adjacent to the new headquarters that have been earmarked for future development. The corporation’s purpose-built private motorsport facility – RD Field – is located one block south of the corporate campus. It includes two supercross tracks, a hard enduro test track and a demo section for product testing and athlete training.
For more information, visit PiererMobility.com, KTM.com, Husqvarna-Motorcycles.comor GasGas.com.
