Scooter News Happy Birthday Honda MPE Honda Motorcycles, Marine and Power Equipment turns 15.
Allen Drysdale Honda Motorcycles, Marine and Power Equipment (MPE) Australia recently celebrated 15 years in operation after being opened in Campbellfield, Victoria in 1991 by then Deputy Premier and Attorney General, James Kennan and Katsuro
Suzuki, Director of Honda Motor Co.
Since its humble beginnings, MPE has grown at an exponential rate to become the most successful company of its kind in this country.
Sales for Honda MPE in the 2004 - 2005 financial year exceeded $300 million which represented approximately
200,000 products.
Further, it is estimated that approximately 1 million Honda products are now used throughout Australia every day, which includes the use of motorcycles, power equipment, engines, outboards and motor vehicles.
Stuart Strickland, who after many years with the company, was appointed as the first Australian Managing Director ever in 2005. He explains that the company’s success has been due to following a number of guiding principles.
“We have always aimed to provide the best products and services for our unique market, but we also strive to maintain an international viewpoint,” he said.
“Although our company is relatively new in the Honda network, it has become one of the most successful, relatively speaking.”
“This is extremely rewarding and we have our associates, our Dealer network and our customers in Australia to thank for that.”
Today, the 1.295 hectare site comprises 5,588 square meters of building and along with administrative functions, includes a parts warehouse, workshop and race team operations.
In the past 15 years, Honda MPE has celebrated a number of significant achievements including:
400,000th locally made lawnmower produced
Celebration of Honda’s 50th Anniversary (1998)
Strickland given a unique 'Lifetime Achievement" award from the Australian Federal Chamber of Automotovie Industries (FCAI)
Over 20,000 Red Riders Club members
Winning back to back dual Australia Supersport /Superbike Championships in 2004 and 2005
Winning Australian Motocross Championships (2006 Pro Open and 2004 Pro Lites)
Over 100,000 Honda Riders Club of Australia members
Introduction of world's first BF135 & BF150 4-stroke outboards
Introduction of world's first 4-stroke Blower and Hedgecutter
Launch of Honda MPE Financial Services
Nearly 100,000 students trained at Honda Australia Rider Training (HART) Kilsyth, VIC and St Ives, NSW HART Centres established.
For more information, visit Honda’s corporate section of their recently launched new website: www.hondampe.com.au
published 6/12/2006 |