Yamaha Joins ORBA Team

The Off-Road Business Association Adds Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. to Its Impressive Trade Association Member List

SANTEE, Calif., Aug. 25 -- The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) announced today that the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. has become a member of its industry trade association. ORBA is a non-profit organization established to promote, protect, and represent the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Industry.

Mike Schmitt, Division Manager for Yamaha, U.S.A. stated: "We have been watching ORBA's progress over the last several years and have concluded that ORBA's staff is performing a valuable service to the off-road recreation industry. We are pleased to step up to the plate at this time and provide support to this important OHV trade association."

"The major Original Equipment Manufacturers in the Powersports Industry are recognizing that ORBA is playing a major role nationally in protecting OHV recreation opportunities," says Roy Denner, ORBA's President and CEO. "Prior to the formation of ORBA, the OHV industry has never had its own trade association dedicated to the industry and to protecting its interests. Yamaha's membership in ORBA is a big vote of confidence in ORBA's value to the industry."

In July, Denner made a presentation about ORBA to the non-profit Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA). Manufacturers of All-Terrain Vehicles that are SVIA members include AlphaSports, Arctic Cat, Bombardier, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. Representatives attending from member companies were very receptive to Denner's plea for ATV manufacturers to become members of ORBA. At that meeting, Yamaha's Schmitt, pledged Yamaha's immediate support.

Other major powersports Original Equipment Manufacturers that are also members of ORBA include Kawasaki Motors Corporation, U.S.A. and KTM North America, Inc. Scot Harden, Vice President at KTM, serves as a member of ORBA's Board of Directors.

ORBA's President expressed his confidence that "it's only a matter of time until all of the manufacturers of products for the off-road recreation industry understand the need for a trade association representing their interests. Many other trades have developed a power base in political and legal venues through trade associations dedicated to protecting their specific industry segment. The OHV Recreation Industry needs to catch up!"

ORBA is a Santee, California-based trade association comprised of off-road related businesses united to promote common goals that support the prosperity and growth of the off-road industry.