Excelsior-Henderson Shareholders' Meeting and Biker Bar-B-Que Starts a Big Rumble
30 July 1998
First Annual Excelsior-Henderson Shareholders' Meeting and Biker Bar-B-Que Starts a Big Rumble
BELLE PLAINE, Minn., July 30 -- The invitations to Excelsior-
Henderson's first annual shareholders' meeting hinted at something big. And
the event, held on the Excelsior-Henderson grounds under a football field-
sized outdoor tent on Saturday, July 25, definitely lived up to its promise.
Under warm, sunny skies, there was a genuine sense of togetherness among
people from all walks of life and from throughout the country -- from bikers
to shareholders, dealers, and the Excelsior-Henderson Road Crew(TM). Bikers
and friends experienced the Excelsior-Henderson lifestyle through special
displays and a huge family-style picnic.
Attendees purchased over $65,000 worth of apparel, accessories and
specially priced commemorative "Road-to-Glory" T-shirts. As part of the
event, cash contributions totaling $7000 were donated to the Scott County Food
Shelf in Belle Plaine from each commemorative shareholders' Road-to-Glory T-
shirt purchased.
Turnout was phenomenal for a first year meeting and the day was truly an
event to be experienced. An enthusiastic crowd of 5,700 people journeyed out
to Excelsior-Henderson's new corporate headquarters and manufacturing plant in
Belle Plaine, Minn. to learn of the Company's progress in re-launching this
legendary motorcycle brand. The event was believed to be the largest public
company shareholder meeting in Minnesota. Judging by their reactions,
shareholders liked what they saw.
"I'm extremely pleased with the way they're moving forward," said one
biker shareholder. "After seeing the facility and hearing their presentations,
I'm very optimistic."
Excelsior-Henderson's senior management team demonstrated how the company
plans are coming together to bring the 1999 Super X(TM) motorcycle to market.
They're putting the finishing touches on the factory and the heavyweight
cruiser is scheduled to start rolling off the assembly line during the fourth
quarter of 1998. And with the company already surpassing its goal of signing
over 80 of America's best motorcycle dealers, the market is primed for the
brand's long-awaited return.
Shareholders listened as Excelsior-Henderson's Co-Founders, Dan, Dave and
Jennie Hanlon, along with the Company's senior management team, shared their
vision for the company's future. The Hanlons' emotional speeches demonstrated
the passion that's driving this grassroots group of bikers to restore the old
glory of the Excelsior-Henderson brand.
The day was packed with information and activity. Investors enjoyed an
Excelsior-Henderson style "Bikers Barbecue" and were also impressed with the
factory museum and vintage Excelsior and Henderson motorcycle display area,
which is designed to resemble a 20's era street scene complete with old-style
street lamps and authentic cobblestone floor.
A major highlight of the day's events was a preview of the new production-
intent Super X, which will be officially unveiled to the public next week at
the annual biker rally in Sturgis, S.D. The overall reaction was a big thumbs
up. The crowd overwhelmed the stage in a burst of uncontrolled eagerness
creating an impromptu change in the agenda.
"Now it's going to be even harder to wait for my own Super X!" exclaimed
John Pederson, a biker and early investor in the company.
For a company that's created a lot of noise in the industry, it was an
appropriate milestone to cap off the meeting. Since announcing their plans to
re-launch the Excelsior-Henderson brand in 1993, the Company has generated
tremendous excitement at biker rallies and events with their Super X
prototypes and "The Experience"(TM) traveling motorcycle museum. Bikers, the
motorcycle industry, and the media have closely followed the company as it has
passed all the milestones on the road to production. Finally, the time is
near for this great American motorcycle to ride again.
Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company is a
pre-revenue company which plans to manufacture, market and sell premium
heavyweight American cruisers and touring motorcycles, as well as related
parts, apparel and accessories branded with a name that evokes an authentic
American motorcycling heritage and lifestyle. The Company will distribute its
products through a quality, nationally recognized dealer network. Excelsior-
Henderson is one of only two authentic American motorcycle companies
exclusively committed to the manufacture of motorcycles. The production-
intent 1999 Super X motorcycle will be unveiled August 3, 1998, during the
Sturgis Rally and Races. Motorcycle production is scheduled to begin during
the fourth quarter of 1998.