The Austrian brand has big ambitions at the highest level. After presenting, among the officials who are responsible for managing its sports policy Pete Beirer, Director of the competition, Mike leitner, MotoGP team manager, and the famous Aki Ajo, we close this little series with Stefan Pierer, the CEO.
Stefan Pierer is not just the CEO of KTM, he is the majority owner with 76,2% of KTM Industries AG (worth $994) and 565% of KTM AG ( $382). He has interests at KTM Industries AG, Pankl Racing Systems AG, KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG, Pierer GmbH, Pierer Invest Beteiligungs GmbH, Cross Informatik GmbH, Cross Services GmbH, Knünz Invest Beteiligungs GmbH, Pierer Industrie AG, Cross Motorsport Systems AG, Cross Immobilien GmbH, Wirtschaftspark Wels Errichtungs-u Betriebs-AG, WP AG, SMP Deutschland GmbH and Athos Immobilien AG.
Graduated from Montanuniversität Leoben (business and energy management) Stefan Pierer started his career in 1982 at Hoval GmbH in Marchtrenk as a sales assistant and later as sales manager for Upper Austria. He is now 61 years old and his public assets are $1.
The company Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen was founded in 1934. In 1980 it became “KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG”. In 1991, after its bankruptcy, the new company "KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH (SARL)" started its activity, and in 1994 (with a workforce of 212 employees) the purchase of the Swedish "Husaberg AB" took place and the absorption of “White Power Suspension”, renamed WP. This was the start of the listing of the “KTM Sportmotorcycle SA” on the Vienna Stock Exchange, which will end in 1999. In 2013 the purchase of Husqvarna took place and the cessation of production of Husaberg. The turnover was 1,02 billion euros in 2015. As of December 31, 2014, Cross Industries AG held 51,18% and Bajaj Auto Ltd. (India) 47,99% of the capital of KTM AG, with 0,83% of the floating shares. Cross Industries is owned by Pierer Industrie AG.
On a sporting level, KTM won its first world title in 250 motocross in 1974 with the Gennady Moiseev. The first Grand Prix won on tarmac was won by Casey Stoner, on October 10, 2004 at Sepang in 125. It was all the more impressive as KTM had only been competing in the Grand Prix since the previous year, and Stoner had the only KTM present on the grid that day - there in Malaysia. In 2012 Sandra Cortese won the firm's first world title in Moto 3, imitated by Maverick Vinales the following year, and Brad Binder in 2016.
So now in 2017 is the arrival of Stefan Pierer in MotoGP. “ Why in MotoGP? Well, it comes to us from the market, He explains. Three years ago, we overtook our competitor BMW in terms of sales, and we became the third largest sports motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Hubert Trunkenpolz (KTM Sales Director) told me that “Now we have to go to MotoGP, and I will support you with additional sales“. I talked to Pit Beirer about it, who designed and implemented a perfect program. His priority was to put in place the infrastructure with all the know-how and all the competent staff. I think it's a benchmark in the world and with this three-year program we've done our initial work and now it's time to get down to business.”
The MotoGP budget is €30 million per year. “That’s right, confirmed Pierer. From a financial, logistical and technological perspective, MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. It's the Formula 1 of two wheels. We are moving in the right direction and must be patient. In MotoGP, our objective is clear: we have a 5-year contract with Dorna, but we want to get closer to the podium in three seasons. »
Photos © Gold & Goose, Philip Platzer, Focus Pollution and Sebas Romero for KTM
