DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) President and Chief Executive James
L. Ziemer will retire as the company shuffles its management.
The moves come as Harley is struggling with sagging demand and
woes at its financial-services unit, which has suffered amid the
credit crunch. The company has slashed jobs, costs and dividends as
it navigates a recessionary environment.
The iconic motorcycle maker will bring in Johnson Controls Inc.
(JCI) President and Chief Operating Officer Keith E. Wandell, 59
years old, to succeed Ziemer on May 1.
In addition, the company named Matthew S. Levatich president and
chief operating officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Levatich, 44
years old, is currently president and managing director of MV
Agusta, the Italian motorcycle maker Harley bought last August. He
will succeed James A. McCaslin, 60 years old, who will move to a
newly created position as executive vice president for corporate
product planning.
In after-hours trading, Harley shares were unchanged at $17.10.
The shares, which rose 3.3% during the regular session, are off
nearly two-thirds since September.
-By Jay Miller, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2331; jay.miller@dowjones.com