The Vertex Advantage
The Italian motorcycle industry, in the Bologna 'Motor Valley' and Emilia Romagna specifically, is blessed with a large number of motorcycle parts and accessory manufacturers, performance engineers and race teams, and, of course, a concentration of motorcycle brands - from the low volume and specialist bespoke to the all-conquering might of Ducati.
They all have impressive post-war stories, some of them being recognised as Italian 'Marchio Storico' - historic Italian factories and brands - and some, like Vertex, have found their brand dominance through racing.
After a decade of producing spare parts for engines and pumps, since 1963 Vertex has become an MX benchmark for production of 2- and 4-stroke pistons and associated products.
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| Valerio Scutellà, Managing Director |
The company's rise to the top of this most competitive of motorcycle performance sectors has been driven by the determined pursuit of best possible quality, advanced technologies, and high-level collaborations in motorcycle (and kart) motorsport - which has seen Vertex build a solid international reputation.
Valerio Scutellà, Managing Director at Vertex told International Dealer News that "we can consider ourselves the market leader in the production of pistons for 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, especially for off-road motorcycles, but also for karts, snowmobiles, ATVs, ultralight vehicles, marine engines, compressors, and our newest market - drones.
"Critical to our success has been the partnerships that we have built. This has always been a primary Vertex advantage. These range from OEM manufacturers and performance P&A distributors right through to many of the leading European MX and Enduro riders and leading race teams - official teams and independents - and, of course, our dealers.
"We are respected as a strong and reliable partner for numerous of the official teams competing in various world championships, as well as a supplier to several OE manufacturers, both for first fit and as replacement spare parts."
'our future cannot be separated from our past'
"Our sporting achievements are something of a hallmark for the company. Just last season in off-road motorcycling we won 13 world titles, and since entering the karting world we have collected more than 150 titles. These results are extremely important because they allow us to continuously update our R&D and, consequently, keep our expertise current with the latest models and race demands.
"Led by Fabrizio Landini, our Engineering Director, who has been with us for 21 years, we have a team of 11 engineers out of a total headcount of around 60 people - that is a high ratio of engineering talent and is critical to our success. Fabrizio knows practically everything about or products and how they are used - by OEM manufacturers, teams and racers as well as by dealers and their riders.
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| The Vertex team |
"He has steered the product line to keep it in-line with rider and racer requirements, and has developed it in increasingly advanced directions, utilising state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques with highly efficient machinery and dedicated software that has been developed specifically for us and our customers."
These days Vertex is part of the U.S. based Arrowhead Engineered Products Group, a relationship that Scutellà describes as "excellent and mutually beneficial. Our American colleagues recognise the professionalism with which Vertex conducts its business and fully supports our investments and business strategy. They grant us the autonomy that is essential when pursuing specialist goals and striving to offer the best possible product on the market."
'brand dominance through racing'
For the future, Scutellà says: "The very strong heritage in mechanical components that Vertex has is our unique advantage - especially in the off-road and karting world. Therefore, our future cannot be separated from our past. We want to continue positioning ourselves as leaders in the supply of engine parts, including aftermarket components, with absolute quality and top-level performance. We have new products in the pipeline which, to maintain the same quality standards, will continue to be manufactured in Italy and in a few other European countries."
Aftermarket Sales Manager Nicola Iori added that "our brand is recognised by all players in the powersports sector as a synonym for quality, thanks to the company's more than seventy years of experience as well as its collaborations across virtually all of motorsport.
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| 2- and 4- stroke pistons |
"Our core business remains pistons for 2-stroke and 4-stroke motorcycles, with top-of-the-range models that set us apart from the competition. The huge number of applications in our catalogue allows us to cover practically the entire commercial chain.
"We have a dedicated department managing close relationships with OE manufacturers, enabling us to stay ahead of new model releases; another department focused on the aftermarket; and one dedicated to racing components, working closely with teams to benefit in real time from their experience and technology, ensuring we meet the specific needs of manufacturers and the market."
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| Nicola Iori, Aftermarket Sales Manager |
Pistons remain the heart of the company "but over time we have also introduced other components that have been well received by customers, especially the Vertex kits. These combine all the company's technology and know-how, offering - for 4-stroke engines - the piston with rings, gasket, and timing chain at a particularly competitive price compared to purchasing the components individually."
'a team of 11 engineers'
Another important element for Vertex is the European distribution of Arrowhead Group products, such as All Balls Racing Group, whose catalogue includes more than 20,000 part numbers - from gaskets to bearings and everything needed for chassis and engine maintenance. More recently, we have also introduced a line of sprockets, always with a focus on maximum quality. Iori says that "we are now developing a new range of cylinders in collaboration with our main official motocross and enduro teams, which may eventually be offered in kits together with connecting rod and piston."
In terms of the structure of Vertex' distribution network "at the international level, we mainly rely on selected distributors with whom we have collaborated for many years. In areas where our distributors are not present, we are always evaluating new customers to strengthen market coverage. In the United States, our aftermarket pistons are distributed by All Balls Racing Group. Italy represents about 20% of our aftermarket turnover and in our home market we primarily work through B2B dealer partnerships, including many small local service, race and repair workshops who have with long-standing relationships with us."
www.vertexpistons.com
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