bmxblogs

From BmxBlogs:
Jan 02, 2006 – Carlsbad, CA. Jim Ford, former President and CEO of Haro Bicycle Corporation announced today that he has joined MirraCo, a newly formed company created by Dave Mirra, BMX freestyle‘s most accomplished athlete as well as its most recognized personality. Ford will retain his previous title of President and CEO as well a significant ownership position in the new company.

Mirra’s ten plus years with Haro will conclude on December 31st. In describing the situation, Mirra had this to say, “I had originally intended to finish my career with Haro, but considering how far apart we were in negotiating a new deal, I figured I could do better on my own”. Mirra did however acknowledge that his career with Haro was both fun and rewarding and that he intends to honor his contractual commitments with the company through the end of the year.

“Dave is an incredible athlete, but I’ve also learned he is quite a salesman” commented Ford. “He was relentless in his efforts to get me involved in his new venture once I left Haro, despite the concerns I had with starting from scratch with a new company”. Ironically, after playing key roles in making Haro the dominant brand in the BMX/Freestyle segment of the market, Mirra and Ford’s new company will be the industry’s newest “rider-owned” brand trying to chip away at Haro’s significant market share.

“I’m looking forward to some aggressive but friendly competition with our friends at Haro. It will certainly be challenging given Haro’s dominance in the category, but the times I enjoyed the most during my career at Haro were when we were the underdog fighting to grow the business. This will be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it” stated Ford.

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Brian

Welcome to the forums! Thanks for the info, but I'm not sure most members will really care all that much. I guess it remains to be seen what kind of cachet the name carries. Dave Mirra is no Donna Karan.

CMcMahon

I have no idea who Donna Karan is.

Brian

DKNY? She was a clothing designer that sold the rights to her name for $400 million. For her name!

CMcMahon

I try not to pay attention to the fashion world, for reasons like that.

Brian

I didn't make any money from it, but I read it in the Wall Street Journal. I'll be retiring before you. Hopefully before Mirra too.

sngltrackdufus

hmmm.. Were you aware that Matt Hoffman has his own line of frames??
I think i will purchase from whoever has the biggest & most air time

mcoine

So does Haro.

sngltrackdufus

mmmmm..hmmmmm

ettsn

Er, did people forget Bob Haro was a rider first? Wouldn't that make Haro 'rider owned'? Sheesh Greg Turner (GT) was too. Add Mat Hoffman (Hoffman Bikes). Scott Breithaupt (SE), Dennis McCoy (DMC)... the list goes on. I've got two old school Haros in my garage right now (green '86 Freestyler Master and a chrome/blue '90 Group 1 RS1), and I'm considering adding one of those raw Mirra 540s to the fleet. Haro is first class, as is Mirra. I wish them both well.

-Paul

Brian

Bob doesn't ride any more. When I was 13, he was a young pup racer too. But that was, um, years ago...

CMcMahon

Bob Haro doesn't even own Haro anymore, anymore.

edit: Scott Breihaupt doesn't own SE anymore, either. And DMC doesn't own a bike company.

Brian

Good points. 10 years from now, Pacific cycles will own MirraCo.

tozovr

Gary.


Gary Turner. GT.

I was under the impression that investors owned Hoffman bikes. DMC was a model by Mongoose and later K2...

Mirra could start a bike company and sell 3 frames and go under, he'd still be making some good money doing what he does and endorsing who he does.

He's a good egg.

Brian

I'm thinking people need to stick what they know, and not dabble where they don't belong. I was going to use Vanilla Ice's acting as an example, then I remembered he had no talent at all.

ettsn

You guys missed my point. I was saying that many good bike companies started the same way, but perhaps not with the head start that Mirra's got. I wish him well. Shoot, I might even buy one of his bikes if they're as good as we expect they'll be.

-Paul

tozovr

Well he used to be a Jetskiing champion...but I dunno how much of that came form his unlimited funds LOL

bxbmx

Wow, i just bought a mirra 540, 05 version, its a bit heavy, but mirraco...theyre gonna have mirraco 540s? kinda wierd. mirraco.com is some sort of italian company.