Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the innovative company quickly made a reputation for itself, winning contests and races across America. Harley-Davidson's Bar and Shield logo debuted in 1910, and two years later the company made its first international sale to Japan. The U.S. Military purchased nearly twenty thousand Harley-Davidson motorcycles for use in WWI. By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Military production again increased during WWII, and Harley-Davidson won an award of excellence for wartime production in 1943.
What were its sources of competitive advantage? HD got into trouble in the 1970’s, what changed both internally and externally? Harley Davidson started in 1903 when William Harley and Arthur Davidson started producing motorcycles in a garage to sell to the public. The first year's production was only three motorcycles with one dealer. In 1907, these two entrepreneurs incorporated after selling 50 motorcycles.
Harley Davidson Motor Company: Enterprise Software Selection Harley-Davidson motorcycles are as much legend as product. The company enjoys intensely loyal customers, and nearly as loyal employees. The company celebrated its centennial year in 2001, which in itself was nothing short of a miracle given all of the opportunities that the company had to go out of business. The company fell on hard times in the early 1980s and even flirted with bankruptcy. Management did a turnaround in the mid- 1980s, however, resulting in a financially sound public company today.
They continue to develop new affordable automobiles with new advance technology that has captivated the suppliers, dealers, shareholders, employees and the communities. Ford continues to strive on their mission, vision and values. It all began with Henry Ford (1863-1947), where he stated “I will build a car for the great multitude” and that seems to be the cored for this giant automaker. They continue to stand by the father that started it all back in 1903 with a promising vision. In 1908 the birth of the model T car sold nearly 15,500.00 in the United States alone.
BACKGROUND: Harley-Davidson motor company was founded in 1903 by William Harley and Arthur Davidson. They have been successfully “taking the work out of bicycling” better than any other motorcycle manufacturing company. But due to strong competition and quality problems the company went to near bankruptcy in 1980s. After 1986 successful IPO, they again experienced great success recently with growing numbers in their percentage of motorcycles shipped, up 14 percent from 1997, and their target market size, up 13.8 percent from 1997. The problems that Harley Davison faced with are how to improve their existing purchasing process, how to integrate their existing procurement methods together, and how to develop longer term relationships with suppliers.
| Student’s Signature (type your full name): | | Midterm Cases: Eastman Kodak & Harley-Davidson Midterm Cases: Eastman Kodak & Harley-Davidson Technological advancements impact on industries has reshaped the business strategies of industry leaders such as Harley-Davidson and Kodak. The motorcycles and digital imaging industries are impacted by technology, competition, economic times, and changing consumer demographics. A solid foundation and adaptable strategy is the foundation for success in technological advanced industries. Synopsis of the Cases Kodak & Harley-Davidson are industry leaders and have survived the turmoil many of its competitors failed (site 1, site 2). The companies are customer centric and focus on the users experience (site 1, site 2).
Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing: Thorr Motorcycles Perceptual map facilitates the distinctive positioning of a company through visual representation of the consumer’s perception of a brand and may help in the creation of a marketing plan. Several parameters may overlap superficial attributes of a product, while others define the product’s fundamental parameters. The fundamental parameter of Thorr Motorcycle’s perceptual map is a lifestyle image which highlights the motorcycle industry. The projected image of motorcycles assumes characteristics of masculinity, mobility, and freedom (University of Phoenix, 2008). Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. manufactures over 200,000 units annually and currently worth more than one billion dollars.
With nine studio albums and twenty-five mixtapes, all eyes are on Lil Wayne to see what is bound to come next. Wayne is my favorite choice as a “National Living Treasure” because when people listen and hear what Wayne is speaking about in his songs, they become inspired and motivated. For example, If Lil Wayne talked positively about President Obama in a song, I believe his polls would increase just because the rapper is that influential over his fans. If put to good use I think Wayne could become a very inspirational and motivational speaker, who catches the attention of millions of people. With his most recent album, The Carter IV, selling over three million copies in only five months; all he has to do is say something negative or positive about someone and all of his fans automatically have the same opinion.
Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is one of the first American automotive companies that successfully manufactures and sells automobiles, trucks, buses and automotive part. It was founded by Henry Ford on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles and light commercial vehicles under the Ford brand and luxury brands under the Lincoln brand. (Ford Motor Company, n.d.). A SWOT analysis of Ford motor company is as below: Strength: High Employee Productivity and Employee relation: Besides being one of the strongest brands all over the world and having a well-built brand portfolio, Ford also has a very unique strength which is high employee productivity.
Harley Davidson Motor Company: Enterprise Software Selection Case Context Harley Davidson Motor Company was founded in 1903 from William Harley and Arthur Davidson. By 1920 the company was already the largest manufacturer in the world with a 28.000 motorcycle annual production and dealers in 67 countries. By 1997, 78,45% of revenues derived from motorcycle sales, the company employed 6.000 people and had several subsidiaries. Strong competition led the company to crisis in the '80s, which followed a management buy-out, a renewed focus on quality and a successful IPO in 1986. The company's organizational structure is distinguished by the concept of self-directed teams from the bottom to the top of hierarchical levels.