Harley-Davidson shuts news media out of its annual shareholder meeting Milwaukee Wisconsin

https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2018/05/09/harley-davidson-bans-news-media-shareholders-meeting/596127002/

Harley-Davidson shuts news media out of its annual shareholder meeting
Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 5:04 p.m. CT May 9, 2018 | Updated 9:29 a.m. CT May 10, 2018

America First tax cuts didn't save Harley-Davidson's Kansas City plant Wochit
MILITARY 20150516

(Photo: Calvin Mattheis / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)


For the first time, in recent years, anyway, Harley-Davidson Inc. is banning the news media from its annual shareholders meeting.
.......................................

In previous years, the meeting has usually been held on a Saturday, with scores of motorcyclists showing up to hear the company’s presentation and even get autographs from company executives such as Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of company co-founder ......................................

At previous meetings, some shareholders have asked tough questions about the company’s performance and relations with the workforce.

Union members have shown up to express frustration over job cuts.

RELATED: In Washington, union rips Harley-Davidson for closing Kansas City plant while opening in Thailand

It's highly unusual for a publicly traded company to shut the news media out of its annual shareholders meeting, said George V. Reis with GVR Investment Management Inc., in Two Rivers.

"I think the only reason you would do that is if you have something to hide. If I were a shareholder, it would be very upsetting to me," Reis said.

"If you have good news to share, you want the media there. Even if you have no news, you wouldn't care if the media came to the meeting," he added.

This year, Harley's motorcycle sales in the U.S. were down 12 percent in its recent fiscal quarter compared with a year earlier.