CMM MARKETPLACE
Where does our spotlight fall this issue?
The social and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will clearly be seen and felt for decades to come, but we at CMM wanted to get a snapshot of what effect it has had on our hobby and, for some, their livelihoods.
At the centre of our industry is the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. In the UK alone the VJMC (founded back in 1982) has more than 6000 members. With all the various VJMC events now on hold, what’s happened to membership? A spokesman said: “The VJMC has seen a definite and significant increase in membership applications, renewals and lapsed members during the lockdown.”
Some positivity then – more members means more enthusiasts to spend money in the industry: but what of business at the core of our hobby?
Wemoto are one of the biggest players in the market, stocking almost one and a quarter MILLION parts for around 14,000 different models of motorcycle from the 1970s right up to the present day. In a statement Wemoto said: "For safety reasons, we've had to temporarily close our showroom, but we've remained open to fulfil online orders. For some of our customers, their motorcycle is their only mode of transport, so we're happy we can help keep them on the road!
"Some of us are now working from home and safety measures are in place for our remaining warehouse team. While a number of riders have chosen to put their bikes away for this period, plenty of people are using this time to complete unfinished projects, so we have actually been very busy."
This is echoed by our very own Ralph Ferrand, who (when he’s not penning CMM articles) is running Biker’s Toolbox. Ralph said: “I feel a tad guilty given the misery caused by the evil that is Covid-19, but for Biker’s Toolbox the lockdown has transformed our business. We are all working 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week to satisfy the demand. All goods coming in are quarantined for 72 hours before being put into stock. I think that the UK will have the best fettled bikes in the world soon and many forgotten projects finally finished. My own bikes are, of course, suffering neglect.”
Conversely, Sealey had this to say: "Sealey’s range is vast and includes products for both the professional trade and home environments. Overall sales have taken a hit due to the temporary closure
of some of the businesses that would be using their tools and equipment, predominantly the automotive market. However, sales of some products that can be used in the home sector, as well as their safety and PPE equipment, have seen marked increases."
You’ll find the best people offering the best services in the pages of CMM – both in the editorial AND the adverts. One who has appeared in both is Clive White of Rapier Paintwork. Clive has been painting classic bikes since he started the business in 1988. He said: “As we speak our phone lines are hot with customers calling for quotes or just letting us know they are bringing their parts for a repaint. In the last five to six weeks we haven’t stopped it’s been really busy, showing us that people are cracking on with that project they’ve had sat in the back of their garage waiting to be started.”
Rich Llewellin runs Louigi Moto – a Ducati specialist (check out their Project Ducati 999 next issue) and he’s found the going tough for many reasons. He said: “I was staying with my parents when all this hit as I was buying a place. My parents are in the high-risk bracket so I made the decision to live in the race truck outside the workshop.
“For almost three weeks the phone didn’t ring at all. I had some work to carry on with and my own, so we were pretty busy. My staff didn’t want to take the risk and come to work, and although it’s just three of us in the workshop, with no work coming in I could easily cope by myself. My accountant had put me on furlough, so I could just manage the business from the office and play about with my own stuff, while living on site. The Government has been pretty helpful and awarded us a 10k grant. I’ve put no other money into the business to date, so with the furlough money coming in to pay wages, this should see us ok for the time being.
“Six weeks in and the phone has just started to ring with potential work. If I have to start booking jobs in, I will un-furlough myself and continue on a small capacity by myself and as it builds up will offer the staff to return to work as and when.”
Rich added that February is a traditionally lean month, with March/april seeing more business coming in. “Without the buffer we would definitely be under pressure from the bank,” says Rich.
“Our landlord has been sympathetic, but we have made our payments and also covered the VAT that has been due.”
Looking forward, Rich wonders if – when the lockdown ends – people will be clamouring for the servicing work that Louigi Moto provides. “We may need to go like stink with a massive influx of work that maybe we can’t cope with. Or (worse) nobody has the money to get their bikes worked on. I’ll get my crystal ball out!”
Crystal ball indeed… Whatever the future brings for our hobby, let’s support each other and ‘stay safe’.