Harley being bought out??
#42
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Harley CEO Receives $6.4 Million Pay Package
Monday, March 15, 2010
![](http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/large/634042609650385237Keith-Wandell-Harley-CEO.jpg)
Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell received a $6.4 million dollar pay package in less than a full year on the job.
The newest leader of American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, Keith Wandell, received a pay package valued at $6.4 million in 2009, according to a regulatory filing. The majority of it comes in the form of stock and option awards, which tally up to $4.9 million. His base salary, starting from May 1 and ending Dec. 31, was $650,025, to go along with a bonus of $780,030. Other compensations for the Harley CEO totaled $22,515. Not a bad chunk of change for only eight months of work.
Monday, March 15, 2010
![](http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/large/634042609650385237Keith-Wandell-Harley-CEO.jpg)
Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell received a $6.4 million dollar pay package in less than a full year on the job.
The newest leader of American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson, Keith Wandell, received a pay package valued at $6.4 million in 2009, according to a regulatory filing. The majority of it comes in the form of stock and option awards, which tally up to $4.9 million. His base salary, starting from May 1 and ending Dec. 31, was $650,025, to go along with a bonus of $780,030. Other compensations for the Harley CEO totaled $22,515. Not a bad chunk of change for only eight months of work.
The most likely scenario is that he got his salary of $650,025 in the form of paychecks, and the rest were these stock options that may or may not be worth a cent when they are exercised. This is not the place for a lesson in stock options, but be aware that they do not directly equate to cash values. In some cases they are nothing more than the right to buy stock in the future at a stated price. The purpose of them is to delay the financial burden while creating incentive for the executive to ensure the company retains or increases its stock value.
Even if the base and bonus were both cash making total cash compensation of $1,430,000, after federal, state, and local taxes he was lucky to get home with $600k (depending on where he lives). Oh yeah, and some stock options he can cash in after 10 years, if they are worth anything.
Other compensation? Most likely expense reimbursement.
#43
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There are some good Union brothers on here. Any company who claims it is failing because of the Union is led by fools. Labor and management operate in a system of checks and balances. If the Union is somehow able to crush the company it just shows that management was too stupid to balance the equation. And most likely too greedy and self-centered to pay attention to what was really going on.
As long as everything is going along fine, the company and unions can coexist, but when there is a downturn for whatever reason, the union puts the company in a very bad position. Harley-Davidson had no part in the current economic condition of our country so they are a victim to it just as much as the workers are.
One of the problems is that the average tenure in this country for a CEO is 7 years. For his own protection he is interested in the short-term health of a company...the same if any of you were a CEO. When the union threatens to strike he is more likely to meet their demands for the health of himself, not for the health of the company. A strike would severely impact the short-term financials of the company (and thus the management compensation) and the unions leaders know it and use it for all its worth.
Often, management has no way of knowing what will happen in the future so how can you call it bad management if future conditions result in labor agreements being a burden? Do you think the GM executives envisioned run-away health care costs when they gave GM retiree lifetime health benefits 30, 40, or 50 years ago? Problem is once that employee benefit is there, there is no way to eliminate it due to the strength of the union even if it means the collapse of the company itself.
#44
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Thx for the positive feedback. The 2010 SEUC is an absolute blast to ride. My only regret is that the Fatboy unfortunately is likely to spend most of its time under its cover.
#45
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Wait a second. First this is all speculation. Anytime the media gets a hold of anything it ALWAYS gets blown way out of proportion. Second Unions do not bankrupt companies. Over zealous greedy executives bankrupt companies. Yes the (RUBS) bankrupt companies. And third we are talking about a legend here. I do not understand how people whom buy and ride these bikes can turn around talk S*** about the very company they purchased their ride from. If you don't like the company don't buy the product and if you buy the product don't bitch about the company. Incase you have forgotten we are in tough economic times, even strong companies are struggling. It sucks that we as their employees suffer the brunt of downsizing but its the way it is these days. Riding is a lifestyle not a weekend hobby and if it is a weekend hobby then you are part of the problem and have too much money and need to take a pay cut to help out us "working class" folks. Bottom line I will believe it when I see it and do not put any weight behind ANYTHING the media says.
I certainly have no inside information. Who know's, maybe they get bought by Polaris (a very strong American company that's doing quite well with a great diversified portfolio of products including Victory).
All I know is that HD's business model is broken and there simply aren't enough guys like those on this forum that love these bikes to continue spending $20-40K for a bike plus another $5-10K in upgrades to keep HD's executives in pinstripes and their union workers in high hrly wages and inflated pensions like the heady growth days.
Times are 'achanging, either the MoCo changes from within or someone is bound to see a chance to make a buck on a distressed company and change them from the outside.
Those that throw stones at the messenger simply don't understand the issue. Either way I love my bikes and I riding is my passion. I do many, many day trips on my bikes plus multiple 1000+ mile overnight trips every year and will continue to ride as long as I have a bike and the health to ride. Looking forward to my first rides of the year this weekend.
#46
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Gm was being run by a bunch of greedy douche bags and the years of making a crappy product finally caught up to them. I say we all meet up and ride are bikes up to York, PA. and all you union haters can explain to the guys and gals that built the bike that you so dearly love, That they should take concessions because they are ruining harley davidson. Harley wasnt crying the last 15, 20 years. You guys kill me!!!!!!!!!! The last time I looked we were in a recession, Almost every company is hurting. But you are rite it has got to be the working mans fault or better yet the unions. Lord knows you white collar guys deserve every penny you get.
#48
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Ya, thats it....Union Greed. Really? Is it Union Greed or Harley Stupidity?
Harley signs an agrement with the union to pay the members a fair wage.
They "HARLEY" and the Uniion AGREE to this. Harley must be pretty stupid to OVER Pay its workers. Or are they?
Are you sure it isn't HARLEY greed? or could it be mis managment?
Have you seen what the CEO and the board of directors pull off the top?
Do you have all the facts? Profit margins, cost of living, etc.....
I'm not saying the Union is perfect but lets give credit were credit is due.
There is enough blame all around here.
Harley signs an agrement with the union to pay the members a fair wage.
They "HARLEY" and the Uniion AGREE to this. Harley must be pretty stupid to OVER Pay its workers. Or are they?
Are you sure it isn't HARLEY greed? or could it be mis managment?
Have you seen what the CEO and the board of directors pull off the top?
Do you have all the facts? Profit margins, cost of living, etc.....
I'm not saying the Union is perfect but lets give credit were credit is due.
There is enough blame all around here.
#49
#50
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.... i know CEO's live on a different scale than a lot of us do, and i don't begrudge them their lifestyles, but that's still 12 times what the average american makes annually.
........ or in #'s that more directly relate to this forum ...... 18.75 brand new '09 SERG's.
..... & i bet he got that really sharp, HD logo'd, button down shirt fer free @ the museum gift shop.
Last edited by groupw; 03-18-2010 at 11:58 AM.