Ducati for sale again?

[Howie]

I will accept your wife's evaluation.

[Bill in OKC]

I read another bidder is Bain Capital.  That scares me.

[koko64]

C'mon Harley.

[Howie]

I read another bidder is Bain Capital.  That scares me.

[lethe]

I read another bidder is Bain Capital.  That scares me.

oh wonderful, expect the Domino's Pizza Edition model

[ducatiz]

I read another bidder is Bain Capital.  That scares me.

Won't happen.  Ducati does not have any assets for them to scavenge.

The pension accounts in Italian companies are protected under Italian law.  Moreover, due to Italy's labor law, the employee unions have a representative on the board of all corporations.  They would never vote in favor of this unless forced to by receivership.

The reason that TPG was approved as a buyer was because they presented a business plan to get Ducati financially stable and to go public.  They did an amazing job -- nearly doubling the sales of Ducati bikes and licensing the Ducati logo for things like Tshirts and stuff (See if you can find a 1980s-early 90s ducati accessories catalogue -- it's all bike parts.  No shoes, helmets or clothes...). 

If Bain (or anyone else) wants to buy Ducati, they will have to present a plan that satisfies Italian labor law as well as satisfies the current owners (Audi).

[Howie]

Won't happen.  Ducati does not have any assets for them to scavenge.

The pension accounts in Italian companies are protected under Italian law.  Moreover, due to Italy's labor law, the employee unions have a representative on the board of all corporations.  They would never vote in favor of this unless forced to by receivership.

The reason that TPG was approved as a buyer was because they presented a business plan to get Ducati financially stable and to go public.  They did an amazing job -- nearly doubling the sales of Ducati bikes and licensing the Ducati logo for things like Tshirts and stuff (See if you can find a 1980s-early 90s ducati accessories catalogue -- it's all bike parts.  No shoes, helmets or clothes...). 

If Bain (or anyone else) wants to buy Ducati, they will have to present a plan that satisfies Italian labor law as well as satisfies the current owners (Audi).

Makes sense.  Thank you.

[Randimus Maximus]

Why did I dream that this transaction went through last night?

In my dream, nothing notably changed after that happened.

[koko64]

The Force may be strong with you.

[Speeddog]

More info supporting a 'highly unlikely' conclusion:

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/harley-davidson-q2-2017-sales/#more-139133

[ducatiz]

More info supporting a 'highly unlikely' conclusion:

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/harley-davidson-q2-2017-sales/#more-139133

I'd say that makes it MORE likely.

Ducati had a drop in sales from 2015 to 2016, but that has stabilized so far this year.

Harley is experiencing a drop in sales, possibly because of the bike style losing its luster. 

Companies expand their brands and products to boost revenue when one of their lines drops in sales.

[Speeddog]

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/bids-ducati/

[kopfjäger]

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/rajiv-bajaj-ducati-purchase/#more-139279

[Duck-Stew]

^^^

Hmmm...  *Very* interesting...

[Duc796canada]

Interesting. The two brands with a loyal following. Truth is we as Ducati owners know we have our own issues, but we stick with our brand, shirts, jackets, shoes etc.  Same with Harley but owners.