The Austrian parent company, WP Suspension GmbH, is entrusting KTM South Africa in the establishment of a new network of Authorized Centers, thus transferring the responsibility of the brand’s products to the Midrand-based company.
Franziska Brandl, Managing Director of KTM South Africa, has been entrusted to lead the WP brand to ‘Get In Front’ - in line with the brand’s slogan - and will manage the establishment of the network of Authorized Centers to sell and service both WP OEM equipment and Pro Components parts.
Backed by the experienced Greg Smyth as WP Suspension’s PG&A Manager and Stephan Marais as WP Suspension’s Customer Service Manager, the newly created division is set to deliver product and service of only the highest quality.
ABOUT WP
WP is at the forefront of suspension technology, delivering race winning performance in a wide range of competitive environments. From Motocross and Supercross, Enduro and Rally, to Superbike and every class of MotoGP, racers have scored an impressive array of victories with WP suspension at the heart of these wins.
The expertise garnered in competition have filtered down into state-of-the-art products for the Aftermarket & OEM products.
WP AUTHORIZED CENTERS
Discussions regarding the appointment of these new Authorized Centers are at an advanced stage, and WP will announce the full list in due course. Five Authorized Centers are expected to be operating in South Africa by mid-2018.
The changes being made are customer driven. The ability to have a geographically spread and factory trained network of Authorized Centers will benefit WP customers who will receive high service levels, technician specialisation, the back-up of the considerable expertise that WP can offer, and a more local service.
Each Authorized Center will be able to sell, setup and service WP’s range of competition-focused Pro Components, such as the company’s famed Cone Valve forks and Trax rear shock absorber. Pro Component parts – from triple clamps and steering dampers to T-shirts and stickers – will also be available for those looking to tune their performance to perfection.
Each Authorized Center will be able to supply spare parts and servicing items, either direct to the customer or to other outlets, ensuring that customers get back riding without delay.
THE PRO COMPONENTS RANGE
In terms of Off Road Pro Component products, WP can deliver Spring Cone Valve forks and Trax shocks to an extensive list of Japanese models, as well as to KTM and Husqvarna customers looking to replace their OEM units to get the most performance out of their bike.
Additionally, AER Cone Valve forks, which combine WP’s two greatest technologies, the cone valve damping and the AER Spring System, can also be supplied to KTM and Husqvarna machines.
Away from the adult market, KTM and Husqvarna customers can buy Pro Component WP suspension for models ranging from 50cc to 85cc, with AER Cone Valve forks and the Trax shock available for the KTM 85 SX and Husqvarna TC 85.
In addition to the Off Road Pro Component products available from WP there is also a range of On Road Competition Cartridge Kits, Competition Shocks and steering dampers. Both Off Road and On Road products will be available from all Authorized Centers.
Franziska Brandl
Managing Director, WP Suspension, South Africa
“With WP Suspension being part of the KTM Group structure it was the logical step for us to adopt WP Suspension in South Africa. We are thrilled to re-launch WP and to give it the platform it deserves, with a strong network of WP Authorized Centers giving our clients the opportunity to race with the best possible components, backed by top class service.”
Jan Nobis
WP Sales Manager, WP Suspension GmbH, Austria
“We are really excited that South Africa will develop this new network of Authorized Centers in 2018. This model is being replicated across all our territories and it enables us to build on WP’s considerable reputation. The result will be that we are able to deliver class leading products and services to riders and racers that will have a demonstrable impact on their riding and results.”
Further details can be found at www.wp-suspension.com where customers are able to enter details of their machine into a configurator to understand what WP options are available for their bike, which can then be emailed to their local Authorized Center.
