For Darwin, time to adapt
Troubled Darwin Motorcycles of Oklahoma City has been taken over by an investment group from Texas. Jason Havey, the chief operating officer of an Austin-based fitness and nutrition company, has vowed to complete any unfilled bike orders.
(It) has been a very long wait for me, and I guess I am hesitant to celebrate just yet. Jason has promised me they will deliver my bike, and I will take him at his word.” MATT SULLIVAN A DARWIN MOTORCYCLES CUSTOMER IN AUSTRALIA
A Texas investment group has taken control of troubled Oklahoma City-based Darwin Motorcycles and says it will make good on unfinished orders for bikes.
The deal includes a working capital loan with undisclosed terms as well as operational changes, the company said.
Jason Havey, chief operating officer of the Austin-based fitness and nutrition company Onnit Labs, has been appointed CEO of Darwin Motorcycles, also known as Brass Balls Cycles.
“The company just needs someone to manage the cash and business fundamentals, and that’s how I got involved,” Havey said.
Havey said he was selected to manage the motorcycle company because he has experience turning around several small companies. Darwin founder and award-winning motorcycle designer Dar Holdsworth will continue with the company as president and chief designer.
In a statement, Holdsworth said he was looking forward to moving on with the support of new management.
“Motorcycles are more than just a machine to their owners. From the beginning, we have wanted to instill the care in both design and manufacturing befitting of a family member,” Holdsworth said. “Whether it has been a charity bike for the armed services, a bespoke customer bike build, or parts and modifications for the hobbyist, we pour everything into our motorcycles. With the support of the new management team, I am looking forward to focusing on what we do best … building uncompromising American motorcycles.”
The Oklahoman reported in March that Darwin Motorcycles customers all over the world had paid tens of thousands of dollars to the company for custom motorcycles they never received.
Havey said the first priority of the company will be to complete those orders.
“The main goal for me is that no new bike goes out the door until these orders are filled,” Havey said.
Lothar Kainz, of Freiburg, Germany, said Darwin Motorcycles owes him about $33,000 for a custom motorcycle that he has waited two years to receive. Kainz said Darwin’s new management has already been in touch to let him know his motorcycle will be among the first completed.
“I have hope that this nightmare ends soon,” Kainz said in an email.
Matt Sullivan, a Darwin Motorcycles customer in Australia, said the company owes him $28,000 for an unfinished, custom bike he never received. Sullivan said in an email he has spoken to Havey, who promised to finish and deliver the motorcycle.
“(It) has been a very long wait for me, and I guess I am hesitant to celebrate just yet. Jason has promised me they will deliver my bike, and I will take him at his word,” Sullivan said.
Under new management, the motorcycle company also has plans to expand its existing line of parts and accessories to provide additional options and value for motorcycle enthusiasts.