Tapping the company that manufactured the electric room thermostat, Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE:JCI), Harley-Davidson announced today that Keith E. Wandell will succeed James Ziemer (CEO), who is retiring. Wandell, 59, currently serves as President and COO of Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, a $38 billion global company. Wandell is a 21-year veteran of JCI and starts at Harley-Davidson May 1st.
Wandell joined Johnson Controls in 1988 as a plant manager in the Toledo, Ohio battery facility. He then held positions in the Automotive Experience Group and the Power Solutions business. He was named president of the Automotive Experience in 2003 which grew to an $18.1B, and 75,000 employee business in FY 2008.
Keith Wandell
Johnson Controls has attracted a lot of attention lately as an auto parts supplier and the dire state of the industry/pessimism from wall street. In February they announced it would shut down 10 factories and slash 4000 jobs. One would think under Mr. Wandell’s leadership they would be the kind of company that is a major player in green building and sustainability in general. They are the biggest makers of hybrid car batteries in the U.S. and to their credit they talk a lot about energy efficiency, but the company does not maintain a corporate blog, have Facebook or Twitter “voices” and when it comes to things like LEED certification, green building, and concepts like cradle-to-cradle and carbon emission they are fairly silent. There is a public facing site which they help maintain on using energy wisely HERE.
Perhaps this is a bright spot in Harley’s history and not a “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” moment for Mr. Wandell. Time will tell if Wandell can teach an old motorcycle manufacture new tricks.
Photo courtesy JCI.
Northwest Harley Blog 
Good stuff. I think we need a Harley for our 36 towns called Manchester road trip, after all it would be rude to use a Triumph Rocket in the US….. wouldn’t it?
Manchester UK to 35 other manchetsers by road, by bike.
Pete Johnson Manchester UK.
Kieth Wandell your an ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Wandell,
You have a lot of guts to discontinue the Buell Brand. Here’s a good business strategy for you: get rid of the Mv Agusta aquisition and concentrate on Amercan brands. As a motorcycle rider, I can say this: You have no business in the motorcycle world as a non- rider. I can assure you, I have been a Harley and Buell enthusiast longer than you have been with Johnson controls alone. Let someone more qualified take the helm!
Mr Wandell….I purchased a 2010 Screamin Eagle ultra on Nov 3 2009 and at 1600 miles it developed a clunking rattleing noise. It has been back to the dealer 5 -6 times for the same problem and it is still existing. Even your Rep Chuck Kennedy came to the dealership heard the problem and attempted to resolve it but could not. I called customer service (Suzie) and was informed that they know the problem, cant resolve the problem and that im going to have to live with the problem. This is not the Harley Davidson i know for 40 years or is this the new customer hating H-=D. If you would like any other info please email me and ill be happy to give it to you