Case- Harley-Davidson-Strength & Weaknesses Essay

CASE ASSIGNMENTTo complete module 3 Case Assignment, enjoy read the discipline in the background material, look for more information (from previous modules and library resources), and then write a 4- to 5-page report tell the following questionsWhat argon H-Ds top two or terzetto strengths for moving forward in the competitive ride manufacturing and sales purlieu?Describe what you consider to be two or three of the weaknesses that are likely to brook the greatest impact, and what H-D is doing (or should be doing) to overcome these weaknesses.Wrap up by overviewing the more salient plosives of your entire SWOT analysis (from your Module 3 and 4 Case Assignments) and give your impressions in relation to whether you think the corporation ordain continue to be competitive and be adapted to continue to meet its mission.An introduction stating the thesis, position, or central theme of your paper, a main body focusing on the key assignment specifications, and a conclusion concis ely stating the main points of your analysis and the conclusions you reached.INTRODUCTIONHarley-Davidson, Inc. is a U.S. found motorcycle manufacturer which was founded in 1903 and still remain one of the go around American companies. Over the courses, Harley-Davidson has adopted antithetical strategies to promote their products in enunciate to maintain its profitability and presence in the U.S. and International market. This paper willing include the internal analysis identifying the keep company strengths and weaknesses and my personal impression is the company will be able to continue to be competitive and able to fulfilits mission.THREE MAJOR STRENGTHS THAT CONTRIBUTE THE COMPANY TO BE matched IN THE MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING AND SALES ENVIRONMENTHarley-Davidson, Inc. is a recognized spot legend, not just in the join States but all over the world, representing value, great designs, bulletproof performance, durability, exclusivity and great client service. Harley-David son has been in billet since 1903 and has endured the unending market changes and customers demands for juvenile products. The President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Mr. Jim Zeiner, in 2005 have evince the main reason of the company success A strong randy tug draws people to Harley-Davidson. Emotions play a huge role in every customer relationship. Mr. Zeiner believed that Our sense of purpose-in different words, our focus on evolveing demand by offering great products and unique cognizes have been one of the constants of company success (Harley-Davidson, Inc., 2005).In order to maintain their business competitive in the motorcycle manufacturing and sales environment the company had to ontogenesis along with these changes. One of the ways to accomplish the constant demand for freshly and innovative products, Harley-Davidson has created and maintained a strong research and break dancement building block to create brisk innovative designs. Another feature available for Har ley-Davidson customers is a webpage where customers can customize motorcycles appearance and performance, giving additional ideas to create new designs (models), attracting existing and new customers to buy Harley-Davidson bikes.Harley-Davidsons in operation(p) virtue surrender the company to reduce waste, improving quality and increase customer gratification by reconfiguring layouts and processes to gain capacity, reduce work-in progress and handling 50 percent, and reduce three operating shifts to two (Harley-Davidson, Inc., 2005). Through all Harley-Davidson facilities the operational excellence strategy has facilitated the workflow which allowed the company to increase their capacity of product processes.Harley-Davidson management is constantly finding ways to correct processes including standard monetarysoftware platforms that service all business units creating ways to improve soothsaying for new performance accessories (Harley-Davidson, Inc., 2005). The company operat ional efficiency improvement has resulted in a revenue increase from $5.58 billion in 2012 to $5.9 billion in 2013 as well the operating margin of 17.92 percent in 2012 as compared to19.61 percent in 2013. The operating income has also increased 169 basis point (bps) indicating an improvement in profitability (Marketwatch.com).Harley-Davidson has two segments in which offer a variety of products and services. One of the segments is responsible for the development of designs, manufacturing motorcycles, sales of parts, accessories, general mathematical product and related services done Motorcycles & Related Products. The other segment provides pecuniary services to Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers, in other words to finance Harley-Davidson franchises through Harley-Davidson Financial Services (GlobalData, 2012).TWO MAJOR WEAKNESSES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THESE WEAKNESSESOne of Harley-Davidson weaknesses, in the past and existing, is product recovers which has and still affecting co mpanys revenues. In September of this year, Harley-Davidson recal lead more than 105,000 motorcycles from 2014 model year because their clutches may fail, do stopped bikes to creep forward and potentially crash, not been the hardly recall for this year. Earlier this year the Milwaukee Company also is recalling 1,384 motorcycles made earlier this year to test for possible provide tank leaks ( swain Press, 2014). Product recalls not only affect the financial stability of Harley-Davidson but also affect their daub and reputation as well.Another Harley-Davidson weakness is their richly dependency on Unites States market which increases its business risk. Based on Harley-Davidson financial statement for the fiscal year of 2012, the company sales depended on the 68.1 percent of the market which is an high percentage, if is any adverse event could adversely affect the companys financial stability (GlobalData, 2012)._Product Recalls_Harley-Davidsons Product Development Center (PDC) sho uld improve the quality of their products to reduce recalls issues preventing any further damage to companys reputation._U.S. Market Dependency_There are some issues for Harley-Davidson to enter or grow in countries in the international market which includes an unstable economy, currency exchange, fuel prices. Harley-Davidson should take into consideration these issues and develop lighter and less costly motorcycles that will allow the company to increase their probability to create a new market niche. In order to reduce manufacturing costs Harley-Davidson have the pickax to open a manufacturing factory closer to these markets reducing cost and increase revenue.SWOT ANALYSIS MAIN POINTS & IMPRESSION OF FUTURE OF HARLEY-DAVIDSONHarley-Davidson is a thriving company composed by dedicated employees, most of them who have been running(a) for many years and they are able to understand market changes and customer demands. Harley-Davidson has a strong brand image, diversity of products, customization, high operational efficiency, strong research center, and great customer service.In my opinion, I think Harley-Davidson has many years to come. The new strategies they have developed includes, the manufacture of customer led motorcycle, seamless launch of surge production, flexibility to adjust to other markets dynamics, develop and manufacture designs to new demographics of clients which includes young adults from 18-34 years old, women, African Americans and Hispanics, and new financial and insurance programs (A. R. Harley-Davidson, 2013). Harley-Davidson have demonstrated with a successful track get into that they have the capacity to maintain their position and reputation in the motorcycle market.CONCLUSIONHarley-Davidson has encountered many problems since its creation and over the years and has adopted different strategies to promote their products and brand name not only in the United State but internationally, opening the doors to create business opportunitie s in other countries. No matter their high and lows, their products have proved to be the best in the motorcycle industry and they are still intent better models to provide the best experience of motorcycling, including past learning experience to improve flaws. They have also been able to improve their operational excellence which has increased companys revenue creating a financial stability.ReferencesAssociate Press. (2014, Sep 27). Harley issues recalls to fix clutches, fuel tanks. _The Big Story_.Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http//bigstory.ap.org/article/9e99e8c27efe4b62b4f8eb749275249e/harley-issues-recalls-fix-clutches-fuel-tanksCook, B., (2012). _Strategize this Facilitating Corporate scheme Development External__ synopsis_. Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=syDRegjvFEw&list=PL-ao-8pxqJKLwBr-921a5V9o3P_Uva_mvGlobalData, (2012). _Harley-Davidson, Inc. Financial and Strategic Analysis Review_. 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