The City of Aliso Viejo recently interviewed Randy Northrup
Vice President of Schuberth North America.

Link to the original article is here:

Aliso Viejo: Featured Business of the Month

Aliso Viejo is proud to be home to a vast business landscape that houses corporations from countless industries including one that’s manufacturers Formula 1 racing helmets. Read about Schuberth North America here.

Schuberth GmbH is a 90-year-old helmet engineering and manufacturing company in Germany. Several years ago an independent importer temporarily distributed the helmets in the United States but didn’t push the business much and eventually stopped. Subsequently, Schuberth’s new CEO decided to open their own satellite office to serve North American instead of going through another independent importer. Randy Northrup was tapped to head up the Schuberth North America business and he opened the Aliso Viejo office three years ago.

Schuberth GmbH develops and manufactures “head protection systems” for a laundry list of industries such as mining, forestry, electrician, fire fighting, police, military, industrial safety but the company is best known worldwide for the Formula 1 racing helmets and motorcycle helmets. The North American operation focuses primarily on motorcycle products, auto racing products, and law enforcement.

The company doesn’t sell direct to end customers from the Aliso Viejo office but instead supplies a network of independent dealers in the U.S.A. and Canada. Recently, Randy Northrup took some time out of his busy day to share a little bit about the business and community.

Q.) Why did you choose this city to do business in?

A.) The location was selected because it’s near a major airport; the office/warehouse configuration we have here was difficult to find in other places; the office rents here are more reasonable than in other places; and, of course, Aliso Viejo is a beautiful location offering many stores and restaurants for our employees and customers.

Q.) What is the best part of doing business in Aliso Viejo and do any of your employees live here?

A.) All of the same reasons listed above – also because we have had tremendous support from the city. There are currently 4 out of our 7 in-office employees who live in Aliso Viejo.

Q.) What do you see as challenges and opportunities within your field and for businesses in general?

A.) When we first opened up the economy was lagging challenged us as a new business looking to expand rapidly. Our challenge is brand recognition.  In Europe, the Schuberth Brand is well known and respected as the best.  In North America, we are not a common brand name.

Q.) Is the company involved in or give back to the local community in any way?

A.) We have been working on special programs for outfitting the local police force. We have also engaged the community for celebrations of special events like our grand opening and 1-year anniversary celebration. Our controller is active in helping out with activities at her son’s Aliso Viejo school.

For more information, visit http://www.schuberthnorthamerica.com

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Interview Series: Women & Motorcycling

As an ongoing feature, the Women’s Coalition of Motorcyclists will be interviewing the women who have made an impact on the motorcycle industry, from pioneers to newbies, industry players to racers, to you.

We thought it timely to launch this series on the eve of International Female Ride Day. Our first interview is with Sarah Schilke, who participated in the 2012 International Female Ride Day with its creator Vicki Gray. Couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this event – Enjoy!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SARAH SCHILKE

Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Schuberth North America

THOUGHTS ON INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY

I was fortunate enough to be at the “2012 International Female Ride Day” events in Canada. Vicki Gray, who created the global event, lives in Toronto, so they make a big day of it up there. It was a great ride, visiting motorcycle manufacturers, a photo shoot at at Toronto City Hall and a get-together at a local dealership. I’ll be sure to celebrate this year’s event by at least riding to work—I think it’s cool and important to participate so that people around the world see plenty of women riding motorcycles on that one day!

RIDE HISTORY

I started riding (street) two decades ago, and a few years later got into off-roading as well, and later raced desert and motocross for several years. I currently own a Honda Superhawk and Ducati 750Sport, plus a couple of Yamaha dirt bikes. I started riding on a whim really. One night I made a comment to a friend that it would be cool if I rode a motorcycle. That friend then showed me a classified ad for aHonda Rebel 250. I picked up the phone, even though I didn’t know a thing about bikes. Interestingly, it was a woman selling the Honda, so I felt comfortable asking her my newbie questions . . . I didn’t know anything about bikes! There were no riders in my family, so the only inspiration I can think of is there was a TV commercial when I was little for “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”—the one where a helmet comes off and you realize it’s a women rider as her hair comes flowing out of the helmet. I do see myself as an anomaly because I didn’t have a role model who brought me into the sport. Female riders need to get past the conditioning we receive as children—girls are told motorcycles are dangerous or it’s not feminine to ride a bike.

INDUSTRY TAKE

I have been working in the motorcycle industry for over 20 years. My first job out of college was on staff at the Motorcycle Safety Program in Oregon, where I grew up. I enjoyed teaching the classes and knew I had found my career niche. Some classes were for women only, while others were mixed gender. I later got a graduate degree in Marketing, which I’ve put to use in the industry. One advantage to being female in the industry is that you stand out . . . but for every advantage there is a disadvantage, such as having to work harder to prove yourself. There is the added benefit that women network well; we proactively try to help each other out, which I think comes out of need because there is a lack of mentorship in the motorcycle industry. My advice to women wanting to work in the motorcycle industry is simple: don’t expect a job just because you ride. You should look for positions that apply to your experience and education, just like in any other industry. Unless you’re applying to be a racer, motorcycling is secondary to the requirements of a specific job—it’s also a great perk! This advice is gender neutral, by the way.

CURRENT COMPANY & EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Schuberth is a global, head-protection technology company based outside Berlin, with a satellite office where I work in California. I travel to Schuberth headquarters several times a year, and speaking German is a benefit to the relationships with my colleagues there. I also use my language skills to help translate parts lists, ads and manuals. I understand the culture since I have lived in Germany a few times throughout my life, most recently when I worked as a Global Category Manager for Hein Gericke. For Hein Gericke, I ran projects relating mainly to the U.S. and European women’s motorcycle market and development of women’s motorcycle and casual apparel.

OUTLOOK ON FEMALE MOTORCYCLING PRODUCTS

Schuberth’s C3 product line is a third generation of flip-up motorcycle helmets. The women’s fit version, the C3W, was introduced in 2010. Engineers at Schuberth stumbled across cosmetic-company research that indicated the female head is typically smaller and features a narrower jaw and higher cheekbones. So, they devised a helmet with the comfort liner specially contoured to fit the female facial structure and with softer materials to better form to small features, plus fabric that is easier to clean and good for sensitive skin. This is the only helmet engineered to fit women. It was definitely not a “shrink it and pink it” version of a male product. The C3 Pro and the female-fit counterpart, the C3 Pro Women, was just introduced a couple of months ago. The upgraded features include aspoiler for higher speeds, an internal antenna, better ventilation and a more comfortable fit. It’s a terrific product. True German engineering—sort of the “Mercedes of Motorcycle Helmets.” There’s even Bluetooth communication available as an add-on. OurC3 Pro Women helmet is gaining in popularity.

TAKE ON INDUSTRY TRENDS

Let’s look at the numbers. It’s been stated for years that 10-12% of the motorcycle market is women. That’s based on registrations. How accurate is that? It could be 25%. Why? Because sometimes a woman’s motorcycle is registered under a man’s name. When talking about apparel, it’s also important to consider the number of passengers. Don’t they need gear even if they’re not up front? Plus, women more often make the shopping decisions for a family.Often, the women is the family CFO, so purchases have to be approved by her. And let’s not forget that this is about shopping. And, women do love to shop. I mean, I have six different suits, which I wear based on my ride or even mood that day!

BELIEF IN WOMEN IN MOTORCYCLING

I was excited to hear of the newly formed Women’s Coalition of Motorcyclists (WCM) and their goal to double the number of female riders by 2020 and promote women’s prominence in motorcycling.I’m happy that today there are so many high profile role models, because this is what helped me get past my “girls don’t ride motorcycles” conditioning. Now, people tell me that I’m a pioneer and role model since I was the first woman elected to the Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors and served two terms, so I try to “pay it forward,” too. I remember attending my first Women on Wheels (WOW) event in Seattle, back when I first started riding. I met an 83-year-old woman who had started riding  in her 70s after her husband passed away and his motorcycle was collecting dust. She walked with a cane, but she had circumnavigated the country on her GoldWing, pulling a trailer to get to the rally! I am still inspired by her, as well as the women I have met since, such as racing pioneer Mary McGee, who was a special guest at the “2012 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference” in Carson City, Nevada. Mary started auto racing and then road racing in the ’60s. Steve McQueen eventually convinced her to get in the dirt and she rode a 250 Husqvarna solo in the Baja 500, beating 17 two-man teams. She also did motocross races and she’s still racing today at 75. Then there’s NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. She actually wears a Schuberth auto helmet, so I have to give a plug here (smiles). But she’s a true pioneer and inspiring role model.These stories transcend motorcycling. And gender.

by Christopher Gil, VP of Editorial at MAD Maps, Inc. www.madmaps.com

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A presentation display has been especially created for the new system: an explanation video is being played on the integrated video-screen and a 6 pages- flyer provides an overview and all the informations about the product.
Of course the sellers are at your disposal to advise you. And they are highly motivated, as you can see here at Börjes Biker Outfit in Augustfehn.

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Our test pilots Erwan Nigon (Van Zon Remeha BMW), Arie Vos (Van Zon Remeha BMW) and Stefan Nebel (BMW Wilbers Racing) have already driven their first laps at the Lausitzring. Our Schuberth Racing-coordinator Robert has personally handed the new helmets, so that our drivers make a successful start into the new season.

We particularly look forward to an exciting duel between the reigning German Champion Erwan Nigon and the two-times German Champion Stefan Nebel (both BMW).

May the best win!

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Bertrand Baguette will race in the WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship) in 2013
Maxime Martin does race GT1 and Endurance Series
Stoffel Vandoorne will race in the Formel Renault 3.5 but much more promising is his acceptance to the Mclaren Young Driver Programme

For the new season we had the chance to collect some shots of the guys and some great sets with the Schuberth SF1 – Good luck to you for 2013 !

Full set on Flickr: *click*

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With Susie we´re supplying the Schuberth SF1 racing helmet to another female racedriver

With Claudia Hürtgen (ADAc GTMasters), Danica Patrick (IndyCar Series) it´s the third women driving on the race circuits of the world with our helmet – and we´re really proud of all three!.

Susie became official test-driver for the Williams Formula-1 team this year and drives DTM since years (2006-2012 for Mercedes Benz). With the official presentation of the new Williams formula-1 racecar she did send us over some nice shots:

And a succesful season to you Susie!

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The helmet is a motorcyclist’s most important piece of safety equipment. It is all about function, not fashion or farkle. Here is a list of important tips for selecting the top-performing and best helmet for you.

Understand how a motorcycle helmet works. It’s comprised of 4 main components:

1. • The hard outer shell  - specially designed to absorb and disseminate the impact.
   • The inner EPS (Styrofoam) protective lining to absorb and soften the impact of the head into the inside of the helmet – reducing the shock to the brain.
   • The chin-strap (retention system) to ensure the helmet remains on the head.
   • The soft fabric lining to ensure proper fit and fatigue-minimizing comfort.
2. Choose a helmet certified with recognized safety standards and regulations. Novelty headwear does not constitute a helmet and offers no real protection to the head and especially not to the brain. Slapping a fake DOT sticker on the back of a “salad bowl” does not magically give it legal or protective qualities. The helmet is a motorcyclist’s most important piece of safety equipment. It is all about function, not fashion or farkle.The various testing agencies (DOT, ECE, Snell, BSI, etc) are certifying a helmet’s ability to protect your brain from trauma caused by your brain slamming against the inside of your skull in the event of sudden impact. Other tests are done on a it’s ability to disperse the impact force over the area of the hard outer shell and ensuring the chin strap will hold it in proper position and not allow it to rotate or come off.
3. Choose a style – ½, ¾, full face, flip up. Some riders like the convenience of a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet and the feel of the wind on their faces. However, wherever the wind makes contact, the road  will make contact in the event of a crash.1/2 and 3/4 helmets offer the least protection, not only from trauma, but also from the elements, bugs, road debris and noise. Being exposed to the elements can negatively affect a rider’s comfort leading to fatigue, hindered concentration, or hearing loss.Full face helmets offer the most protection and comfort. Since most are designed to offer the added benefit of aerodynamics, they also minimize rider fatigue.
   Many riders are now opting for a flip-up or modular helmet which offers the protection of a full face  with the convenience of a 3/4 helmet. Not all modulars are created equal though.  Some are tested and certified for full face protection with the shock absorbing EPS in the chin bar. Others only offer protection from the elements.
4. Determine proper fit. A helmet should be snug. Or better explained, like a good handshake, comfortably firm without causing discomfort or pain. The helmet should make contact all over your head and face. Try sticking a pinky between your forehead and the helmet —  you shouldn’t be able to get more than the very tip in.If you move it around, it should be tight enough that your skin moves with it.The best bet is to get properly fitted, have a dealer help you, starting with a head measurement. Good dealers have staff who are trained to properly fit helmets to heads. These experts help customers find the helmet type and size that best fits their heads and needs.
   Chose the helmet with best fit and comfort, spend the money to get the best protection, fit and comfort. If cared for properly, your motorcycle helmet should last up to 5 years.
5. Replace a helmet that has been dropped or in a crash. Have you ever bitten into a styrofoam cup and noticed that the impressions from your teeth stay and don’t fill back out? This is what happens to the protective EPS when it does its job absorbing a blow and why helmets are ‘single-use’ items.Often a helmet can be damaged without any visible signs, so don’t take any chances.Falling is an unfortunate outcome that is virtually impossible to predict or avoid. When your helmet has fulfilled it’s single-use duty, be sure to replace it right away with another high-quality certified helmet.Some manufacturers offer replacement programs and some insurance companies will also replace the helmet, so do some research before you make a purchase.Look for  helmet replacement programs like Schuberth’s mobility program. A crashed pre-registered helmet can be replaced with a new one for 1/3 of the retail price.
6. Note clarity of vision. It is just as critical to be able to see as it is to be seen, so select a helmet with a high-quality face shield. Some face shields are injection molded and basically optically perfect. Others are bent to the shape of the helmet which creates distortions.Additionally, note the amount of peripheral vision when the helmet is on and whether the face shield fogs up easily. Some come with an anti-fog coating and some come with a Pinlock® visor  – an internal lens that completely eliminates fogging.Some helmets come with an internal sun visor which is handy. It means  you won’t have to switch to a dark face shield when riding in bright light, or switch back to clear at night.
7. Make sure the helmet has good ventilation. Getting airflow through the helmet isn’t just for comfort.  It’s important also for diluting any toxic gasses from exhaust that can build up inside the helmet. A chin vent is a must along with top vents that push air around the head. A properly venting helmet will have holes in the EPS liner which line up with the vent holes in the shell. Also, ventilation channels in the help direct a higher volume of air around the head toward the exhaust ports.
8. Chose a helmet with a removable liner. Washing a motorcycle helmet will help prolong its useful life. The comfort liner is key to a proper fit (the snugness).  Sweat and hair products can cause it to break down faster.
9. Consider communication. Some riders like to talk to fellow riders or listen to music and GPS instructions. There are many options for in-helmet speakers which use Bluetooth® technology to pair wirelessly to accessories.Many systems involve clipping a unit to the outside of the helmet which can cause added wind drag and noise.Other companies, like Schuberth, offer systems that can be fully integrated into the interior of the helmet.
10. Never purchase a used helmet! Remember that a damaged helmet might not show any visible signs. You never know what you are getting with a used helmet. Saving a few bucks is not worth the risk of buying a helmet that won’t protect you when you need it.

Now you are ready to find a dealer and get fitted for a high-quality, protective motorcycle helmet!

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The A.R.O.S. ensures that in case of an accident the helmet cannot pivot of the head from behind. Beside this the system minimize the risk of a contact between the chin section of the helmet and the chin or throat of the rider. It also reduces the consequences of the helmet coming in contact with the chest of the driver.

We test the safety characteristics of A.R.O.S. in our testlab on a regular basis. The test is done with a helmet fixed on an according test set. It is then coupled to a 10kg weigth via a deflection roller. The ECE-Standard specifies the weight to be dropped from 75cm height which pulls the helmet abruptly forward.

According to ECE-standard the helmet is allowed to pivot a maximum of 30degrees. Thanks to the AROS the Schuberth helmets pass this test with a maximum of 17 degrees – in the case you see in the picture we even reached 15 degrees.

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Aerodynamics – Rear spoiler adds 8% additional downforce for greater stability at higher speeds

Aeroacoustics – Reduced noise measured at 82 dba – Schuberth’s quietest flip-up helmet ever

Ventilation – New vent scoop increases airflow to over 8 liters per second

Comfort – New plush liner materials enhance comfort and fit

Communications – Internal dual band antenna improves SRCS wireless connectivity

Light, quiet, compact – these features have characterized the Schuberth C3 flip-up helmet for years. Now Schuberth is presenting a completely updated premium partner to the base model C3 – the C3 PRO. The C3 PRO features a molded rear spoiler developed in the Schuberth wind tunnel for minimizing buffeting at higher speed riding. The internal antenna and Bluetooth® receiver enhance the communication range up to 700 meters and FM radio reception for the Schuberth Rider Communication System. The refined inner lining offers a plush, comfortable fit. The new vent scoop boosts airflow through the helmet to over 8 liters of air per second at 100 km/h. With a wind tunnel tested sound rating of just 82 dB(A), the C3 PRO is the quietest Schuberth helmet ever. The C3 PRO (and female fit C3 PRO WOMEN) flip-up helmet features over 20 additional enhancements and will be available this spring.

C3 PRO WOMEN
Based on additional research, the C3 PRO WOMEN is specially fitted for a woman’s facial structure, featuring a special contour and materials in the cheek pads to better fit a woman’s higher cheek bones,  narrower jaw and smaller facial features.

Schuberth Rider Communication System for the C3 PRO
The easy-to-install, fully integrated Schuberth Rider Communication System (SRCS C3 PRO) plugs into the C3 PRO’s internal antenna for improved FM radio reception and pairing distance of up to 700 meters.

(Note: The SRCS C3 will fit into the C3 PRO and will function normally, but since it does not plug into the helmet’s antenna, it will not offer the improved reception that can be expected from the new SRCS C3 PRO.  The SRCS C3 PRO does not offer backward compatibility to the C3.  While it will physically fit, there is no internal antenna, so Bluetooth connectivity and radio reception are not possible.)

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