Pictures of the Duke of Cambridge standing next to one of Norton Motorcycles’ bikes have boosted interest in the brand, said Stuart Garner, chief executive at Norton.
Prince William tested a Norton SG2 TT motorcycle at the company’s stand at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham during the Motorcycle Live trade show. The photos of the Duke of Cambridge were distributed globally and, according to Garner, they have brought awareness to Norton and helped the brand to extend its reach, especially in the United States.
The Birmingham-based British motorcycle brand has 20 dealerships in the United States and presence in another 12 countries. Norton is also planning to increase the number of bikes it produces per week from around ten bikes to up to 200 a week.
Over the past few months, the 115-year-old business has delivered its new bike, the Commando 961, in Europe, Canada and Japan. This year, the model will be sent to New Zealand and Australia.
Earlier in 2013, Norton relocated its production from a unit in the Donington Park race circuit to a building near Donington Hall in Castle Donington. Garner commented that there is more space in the Hastings House building and this means that the production could quadruple to up to 40 motorcycles per week.
In the new year, Garner says the company will aim to grow into a £100-million-a-year business and create an additional 110 jobs. Turnover in the year by 31 March 2014 is set to grow from a seven to an eight-figure sum, Leicester Mercury news reported.
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