Hundreds from around the world tour H-D powertrain plant
MENOMONEE FALLS (WITI) -- Workers at the Harley-Davidson Pilgrim Road Plant had a global audience on Thursday, August 29th, as hundreds gathered to watch them build the heart and soul of the world-famous motorcycles.
"We put the 'motor' into Harley-Davidson Motor Company right here," said John Lowry, Powertrain Operations General Manager. "It's not just an engine and transmission. This is the very heart and soul of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and our employees get to be a part of that so it's a very cool thing."
Visitors from around the country, and even the world, came to see the workers in action. A group of 50 people from Australia were just a handful of people enjoying the show.
"Probably one of the biggest selling bikes in Australia -- scooters are the thing at the moment, but more for fuel efficiency -- but Harleys are still huge in Australia," said Gay Zazryn.
"It just makes you appreciate how it's put together and how much goes into it -- how much perfection," said Connie Blunt. "My husband and I are just taking it all in and just going to absorb it and go back and share it with our friends in Louisiana."
Workers at the 960,000-square foot plant crank out 1,000 powertrains every day.
"It reconnects us to what this is all about, when you have thousands of customers wanting to see what you do to build the heart and soul of that Harley-Davidson motorcycle," said Lowry. There's nothing abstract about that. You immediately feel connected."
At the Pilgrim Road Plant alone, workers build 69 different versions of powertrains, producing over 50,000 parts daily.