Horex GmbH

Press Information

Horex: The company and its partners

New start on a legendary foundation The people behind the new Horex followed a pioneering approach to motorcycle engineering. They also adopted out-of-the-ordinary concepts for their company philosophy for the new Horex GmbH. This applies to in-house organization as well as to the role played by the partner network.

Parallel to the introduction of the new Horex motorcycle, Horex GmbH, based in Garching near Munich, will launch operations as the successor to Compact-Bike Entwicklungs-GmbH, the company responsible for creating the impressive new VR6-powered Horex motorcycle. Working in the new company with the legendary name, the established Compact Bike development team headed

by CEO Clemens Neese will finish up the engineering and road testing phases and bring the new bike to market at the end of 2011. "After we secured an option to buy the rights to the Horex trademark in 2007, we thought about changing the name of the company right away," explains Frank Fischer, CFO, Horex GmbH "But then we decided against it, because we wanted to continue operating undisturbed under the old name. That was the better solution, since we were still in the project phase shortly before the presentation."

The motto for the new Horex GmbH is "Never change a winning team!" This applies to those responsible in the company as well as to the successful partner network that played a key role in the

HOREX GmbH, Daimlerstrasse 11, 85748 Garching, Germany, www.horex.com, press@horex.com Press contact: c/o DIE WORTWERKSTATT GmbH, Arnd von de Fenn, Telephone +49 7071 15641, fenn@wortwerkstatt.de

development of the new Horex. "Our business concept is based on the idea of linking the core team, which is intentionally kept small, to a broad network of highly qualified specialists," Fischer explains.

"This

network

includes

renowned

suppliers

from

motorcycle and automotive industries as well as from the University of Munich and other research institutes. It also includes engine design specialist Rupert Baindl and other recognized experts. In selecting our partners, we focus on making sure their technical skills and structures match up to ours. We also place high priority on flexibility and a sense of passion for the project."

This scheme goes beyond small and medium-sized businesses.

CEO

Neese

explains:

"We

work

very

well

together

with

development teams from global companies like Bosch and Mahle.

Whether it involves external contacts or communication within the Horex team, we believe in a culture of open discussion instead of rigid hierarchies, short paths and quick, professional decisions. And we want things to stay this way as the company continues to grow."

In the next few months, the focus at Horex GmbH will gradually shift from engineering to ramping up for production and the final selection of suppliers. In line with lean organization principles, the objective is to make optimal use of supplier potential. "When our partners can do something just as well, or better than we can, we will assign the work to them," says Neese. This is the case when it comes to suspension engineering, which is being handled by experienced specialists at Hรถrmann-Rawema. And it is especially important for building the heart of the new Horex: Production of the VR6 engine is planned in cooperation with Weber Automotive, one of the world's leading independent engine manufacturers. "Two key tasks, however, will be handled exclusively by Horex GmbH," Fischer adds. "One of them is

HOREX GmbH, Daimlerstrasse 11, 85748 Garching, Germany, www.horex.com, press@horex.com Press contact: c/o DIE WORTWERKSTATT GmbH, Arnd von de Fenn, Telephone +49 7071 15641, fenn@wortwerkstatt.de

motorcycle assembly at a manufactory here in Germany. The other involves meticulous quality control in all areas. This will take place if necessary on-site in direct cooperation with our local partners. Quality is not something you leave up to chance."

The focus at Horex GmbH in the near future will be on manufacturing and marketing motorcycles. In the future, the company will also be active as a service provider for complex engineering tasks. But up until the market launch of the new Horex motorcycle at the end of 2011, the Horex team will concentrate

on

preparing

for

production

and

building

the

distribution network.

HOREX PR 15 June 2010

HOREX GmbH, Daimlerstrasse 11, 85748 Garching, Germany, www.horex.com, press@horex.com Press contact: c/o DIE WORTWERKSTATT GmbH, Arnd von de Fenn, Telephone +49 7071 15641, fenn@wortwerkstatt.de