A major shareholder of Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE:HOG) is gearing up for a campaign to overhaul the company’s leadership, aiming to oust CEO Jochen Zeitz and two long-serving board members. Investment firm H Partners, which holds roughly a 9% stake in the motorcycle maker, is reportedly planning to urge shareholders to withhold votes for CEO Zeitz and directors Thomas Linebarger and Sara Levinson at the upcoming annual meeting in May.
Key Details
Campaign Objectives:
H Partners is calling for the immediate resignation of CEO Jochen Zeitz, advocating for a fresh leadership approach that can better connect with customers and dealers.
The firm plans to recommend that shareholders withhold their votes for Zeitz and two board members, indicating a push toward fundamental changes in leadership.
Criticism and Concerns:
Jared Dourdeville, an H Partners executive who recently resigned from Harley’s board, has openly criticized the company’s work-from-home culture and high leadership turnover, warning of “cultural depletion.”
Activists believe that with Harley shares having fallen by about 30% during Zeitz’s tenure, and ongoing sales declines despite stabilization efforts, a leadership overhaul could help address these challenges.
Company Response:
Harley-Davidson has cautioned that the activist campaign could disrupt its ongoing CEO search and long-term strategic plans, signaling apprehension about any potential upheaval at the top.
Market Context
The potential campaign comes at a time when Harley-Davidson is grappling with weak quarterly results and internal restructuring, including job cuts. The activist push reflects broader investor concerns over the company’s strategic direction and its ability to reverse declining sales trends in a competitive motorcycle market.
Looking Ahead
Investors will be watching closely at the upcoming annual meeting in May to see if H Partners can mobilize support for significant leadership changes. For deeper insights into Harley-Davidson’s financial performance and strategic direction, consider reviewing detailed filings and disclosures through the? Annual Reports Form 10-K API from Financial Modeling Prep.
