Herman Zijerveld, Managing Director
Robin Bradley visits one of Europe’s longest established specialty distribution businesses – Techno Moto Veghel (TMV) in The Netherlands – and finds an off-road and MX specialist with a commitment to brick and mortar dealerships that online sales can never replicate in an enthusiast market
Last year saw Dutch specialist off-road and MX hard parts distributor Techno Motor Veghel (TMV) celebrate its 40th anniversary, and with former Ledrie Sales General Manager Herman Zijerveld as Managing Director since 2013, the company has been flexing its muscles in recent years with several significant additions to its portfolio.
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| Managing Director Herman Zijerveld is strident in his support for the market’s dealer network |
Selling exclusively through dedicated retail stores: “Our aim is to supply retail outlets throughout Europe with a vast array of top products from service items and technical components through to hard parts to apparel,” says Herman.
At a time when dealerships are coming under more retail pressure than ever before, especially via the internet, Herman is strident in his support for the market’s dealer network.
‘TMV is 100 percent about supporting bona fide motorcycle shops’
“TMV is 100 percent about supporting bona fide motorcycle shops. We offer top-selling brands available from inventory and we support those brands with a strong, personal relationship with our dealers, the kind of added value support that internet resellers simply cannot replicate.
“Although consumer buying habits have been changing and new generations of riders have not seen a retail landscape in which online sales have not been a part, we firmly believe that there is no substitute for allowing the customer to see, feel and make personal judgements about products. There never will be a substitute for the personal retail experience that only a local dealer can provide to their riding public.
‘we are all enthusiasts’
“We in turn back that up with the kind of support and supply relationship that only a specialist distributor with an international network of selected vendors and curated product lines can provide.
“My background is as a dealer, I had my own motorcycle shop for many years, and so I understand the importance of vendor support, good supplier relationships are invaluable. I also understand the position dealers find themselves in now, which is why you won’t find us selling our product lines direct to their local customers online. That simply is not the TMV way.
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| “We put a lot of backing into the sport, both at elite level but especially at clubman and grass roots level.” |
“While it is wrong to suggest that the internet will go away any time soon, that it doesn’t have its place, it is equally wrong to think that the traditional, personal, relationship-based channels that characterise the heart and soul of enthusiast markets such as motorcycling will go away any time soon”.
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| Founded in 1996 in Canada by MX racer turned powersports dealer Milt Reimer, the fast growing FXR apparel range is imported into Europe by TMV. FXR’s 2018 MX gear range features jerseys, pants, gloves, helmets, boots and goggles. Three ranges are offered: the ‘MISSION’ collection, the ‘CLUTCH Prime’ collection, FXR’s entry level programme, and the ‘REVO’ line, the top-of-the range premium gear programme, described as “putting the rider first, with a focus on ergonomic fit and ultra-light weight performance”. |
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| 6D’s revolutionary patented Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) embodies a fully active, in-helmet suspension and kinetic energy management system. |
‘there never will be a substitute for the personal retail experience’
TMV is a distributor for many top-selling, internationally well-known brands - like Twin Air foam filters, made by TMV’s sister company, and independent brands such as Renthall handlebars, levers, sprockets and chain from the UK; Athena pistons and components; Spanish made Airsal motocross cylinders and performance kits; EVS neck braces, knee protectors, roosters, under garments and ballistic jerseys; Portuguese made Polisport factory replacement colour match plastics kits, protective custom fenders and covers; the innovative 6D helmets programme from the United States; Motomaster MX brake rotors, calipers and pads; All Balls Racing bearing and service kits; the fast growing Canadian designed FXR off-road apparel programme; the BC Battery Controller batteries and battery chargers line made in Italy by Forelettronica; Maxima Racing Oils; high performance clutches by STM, Italy, the recently added Putoline oils range, and more.
Plus, a range of TMV own brand products, including many hard to source items for off-roaders such as model-specific hardware kits, forged aluminium OEM replacement shift levers with colour matched pegs and folding brake and clutch levers.
‘a genuine partnership’
“We put a lot of backing into the sport, both at elite level, but especially at clubman and grass roots level. Through sponsorship of events, teams and individual riders, to technical and product support, TMV is a business that is a genuine part of the market it serves, a market we love being a
part of.
“We see our relationship with our dealers, and the vendors we buy from, as a genuine partnership – one with shared values and shared aims. “
We are not a distributor that competes for their dealers’ customers, we are here to help them compete for their customers’ business – to find and create happy customers who will return to their stores again and again.”
www.tmv.nl
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| In
1972 the motocross world was given a “historic boost” by a
revolutionary product - a laminated, dual-foam air filter that, when
soaked in a special oil, allowed free airflow into the carburettor while
keeping dirt, grime, sand and water out of it. It was effective,
durable, washable and reusable. It took off, and the little Dutch
start-up company that invented it, called Twin Air, has continued to grow ever since! Evolving continually with motorcycle design and technology, Twin Air says its filters and accessories “have stayed ahead of the competition for half a century. Today they are available for all motocross and ATV vehicles and distributed worldwide. Twin Air filters are OEM-specified by 20+ motorcycle manufacturers and are the official air filter of American Honda and Suzuki, Kawasaki Racing Team, Suzuki Geboers, Honda Martin and Honda CAS, KTM Red Bull and many other teams. It remains the choice of more World and National Champions than all other filters combined”. Recent product launches from Twin Air include this foam filter protection for the Africa Twin. |
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| This IP44 weatherproof BC 5000 EVO+ smart battery charger and tester was recently introduced by BC Battery Controller, and is described as having “a latest generation microprocessor to execute a cutting edge eight-step charging algorithm”, and features an embedded temperature sensor to adapt the charge according to ambient temperature, three programmes, LCD display with digital voltmeter and on-board guided battery and charging system test |
Founded by two riders in 1985 as MX knee brace specialists, Rancho Dominguez, California based EVS is one of the most recognized and respected off-road protector and apparel brands in the world. Seen here, the web pro knee brace was to be smaller, lighter and stronger than the original Web Knee Brace. Patented Tru-Motion hinges anatomically mimic the natural motion of the human knee for increased comfort and connectivity to the bike.
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| Airsal’s new off-road cylinders (including for KTM 250cc engines as seen here) feature their proprietary Scanimet internal coating – a high performance, durable and heat reistant nickel-silicon carbide (carborundum) technology |
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| Recent new products from Polisport, the Portuguese manufacturer of ‘Performance Plastics’, include this CR restyling kit that includes airbox covers, front and rear fenders, number plate, side panels and radiator scoops to completely update the look of Honda CR models from 2002 onward |
