Triumph is in the wind at the moment. The line-up keeps getting stronger and stronger each year and next year Triumph will build 38.000 motorcycles.
By Tor Sagen
Tue Mantoni (30) is Triumph’s Commercial Director. He was the man hired by John Bloor to headhunt for the right man for the commercial director position. John Bloor believed Tue himself would be the right man for the job, but Tue, then a project leader for consultant firm McKinsey hired to look at Triumph as a business, wanted to continue the headhunting process. After looking at 12 potential candidates he decided to take on the position as commercial director himself. We spoke to Tue in June at the Hinckley factory.
When the door to the conference room opens a tall blond man appear. Tue is despite having a latin sounding surname Scandinavian, more specific Danish. The name Tue is the Danish variant for Thor. Thor is short for thunder and what better time for Tue to enter his position in Triumph just a year before the launch of the worlds biggest most powerful cruiser, the Rocket III that was launched in 2004.
-Tue on Triumph's strategy and future direction
Our target is a 25% increase in sales each year. This financial year (04/05) we have achieved a 30% increase. Triumph also wants to increase its 1.5% US market share by developing more cruiser based models. This financial year Triumph has built 31.000 motorcycles. Next year we aim at building 35-38.000 new motorcycles.
Personal
-Which is your favourite Triumph?
Bonneville and Speed Triple. Bonneville is great in London, not too powerful and easy to ride. S3 for looks and coolness.
Tue lives in London.
-Carlsberg or Carling?
Carlsberg
We wanted to know a little bit more about the man behind all those figures. We asked which three things were Tue's favourite in Britain and Denmark. We did not dare ask for four. Look at the surprise answer under favourite British...
-Triple British and triple Danish
British:
1.Triumph
2.Passion for bikes, cars and racing.
3.Opportunities in much the same way as in the US.
Danish:
1.Social life with family and friends. As in going places together, spending time.
2.Architecture and music.
3.Long summer evenings (as in the whole of Scandinavia)
Three other things Tue likes (it's all about three):
