Shoei's Troubles Continue

SHOEI'S TROUBLES CONTINUE

REVERBERATIONS OF bankruptcy proceedings filed in Tokyo last year by Shoei Kako Co. Ltd., manufacturer of Shoei helmets, have reached the United States.

As a part of the corporate restructuring resulting from these proceedings, the Tokyo district court appointed the Mitsubishi Corporation and the Bank of Japan as trustees to oversee Shoei’s reorganization. Following that move, Shoei’s six employees in the company’s American headquarters in Los Angeles were terminated. Mike Schield, formerly a Shoei regional sales

and marketing manager, was contracted as a consultant to the new management.

As part of its restructuring and streamlining, the company ended its affiliation with several pro roadracers. These include three-time 500cc GP World Champion Wayne Rainey, who for the next two years will wear AGV helmets, and John Kocinski, who will wear an Italian-built Bell this season. AGV spokesperson Michael Parrotte declined to specify the amount of money the Italian firm is paying Rainey, but said, “It’s a lot. I hope we sell a lot of helmets.”

Jon F. Thompson