Lasse Antonsen (left), Kim Harald Jøranli, Lars Bøhn-Pütz and the rest of MC Oslo launch a list of measures to shorten the waiting time for motorcyclists riding BMW, Honda and Yamaha (Photo: Mats Berg, MC Oslo)
P R E S S E M E L D I N G
See the list of the 7 measures
Long waiting times for service are a challenge for the entire motorcycle industry. Norway’s largest motorcycle dealer is now implementing seven measures to improve the situation. “A sign-on fee of NOK 100,000 for experienced mechanics is one of the measures.
– “We work in an industry with extreme industry fluctuations. This makes it demanding to run a motorcycle workshop, but as dealers we can’t give up for that reason. Short waiting times are crucial for good motorcycle experiences,” says Kim Harald Jøranli, General Manager of MC Oslo, which from 2025 will be located at Furuset with a Yamaha store and at Vollebekk with BMW and Honda.
In addition, the company has acquired Monsterbike, which has become MC Drammen, with a focus on BMW, Honda and Suzuki.
Jøranli makes no secret of the fact that many motorcyclists express frustration over long waiting times at both workshops and customer centers.
– “We share the frustration with our customers and have worked hard over the past six months to improve the situation. We have identified seven measures we want to prioritize this year,” says Jøranli.
If the industry is to succeed, good work is needed throughout the ecosystem, Jøranli believes.
– The season is short. The solution may seem simple, but we believe that if we are to achieve major changes, the entire ecosystem must be improved and the interaction between dealer, workshop, customer and suppliers must be strengthened.
The motorcycle dealer has summarized its measures in seven points.
Measure 1) The Nordic region’s largest and most modern workshop
The company’s new store at Vollebekk in Oslo will have a total of 17 workshop bays. The workshop is brand new and will be one of the largest and most modern motorcycle workshops in the Nordic region. It will offer service on BMW and Honda. In addition, the company will retain the workshop at Furuset in Oslo (where the main focus is Yamaha), as well as the workshop in Drammen for BMW, Honda and Suzuki.
Measure 2) Recruit more experienced mechanics (entice with NOK 100,000)
With an increased number of workshop benches, a major offensive is now being launched to recruit more experienced mechanics. In order to attract the very best mechanics in a small Norwegian mechanic environment, experienced mechanics will receive a sign-on fee of NOK 100,000 this winter , according to the ad that is now available on Finn.
Measure 3) Recruit more young mechanics
The number of experienced mechanics is limited and it is also important to think ahead. That’s why we’re recruiting more young mechanics and working closely with educational institutions. The young mechanics will receive close professional follow-up and gradually be given more responsibility, so that with increased competence they can take on larger and more demanding tasks.
Action 4) Online calendar and dedicated tire change team
No motorcycle dealer sells more motorcycle tires than MC Oslo and MC Drammen. Naturally, this puts a strain on mechanics and the customer center in high season. This spring, we are therefore launching our own online booking calendar where customers can book an appointment themselves. Tire changes are carried out by a dedicated team that only changes tires, so that service mechanics can concentrate on other tasks.
Measure 5) Increased capacity at workshop reception and customer center
Long waiting times on the phone and by email have been a challenge for MC Oslo over the past few years. To make it easier to order service and get in touch with the workshops, the company is now in the process of reorganizing and increasing the number of employees responsible for receiving workshop inquiries. In the BMW and Honda department at Vollebekk, MC Oslo has recruited Tore Nyblom from workshop supplier Rodin & Co and Lars Bøhn-Pütz from Norway’s largest motorcycle importer Kellox. Both have extensive experience of workshop operations. Lasse Antonsen , who has worked for MC Oslo for a long time, will also be part of the experienced management team. They will be supported by Trond Fladby who, with his 40 years in the industry, will guide both young and experienced mechanics.
In the Yamaha store at Furuset, ringmaster Andreas Alm from Hestmann Motor, as well as Kenneth Kronquist, who has extensive experience with Yamaha, will be present.
Measure 6) More focus on winter storage
Winter storage of motorcycles is now offered by most motorcycle dealers, including MC Oslo and MC Drammen. This has gone from being a supplementary service in the low season to becoming strategically important for workshop operations. When the motorcycles are stored over the winter, many of them are also serviced, repaired and have their tires replaced. This obviously makes it easier for customers, but it also means that mechanic resources can be utilized throughout the year.
Measure 7) Get customers to book appointments all year round
In the spring, the majority of customers want their motorcycle to be in roadworthy condition as soon as the frost is gone. This often means that they need service and perhaps new tires. This puts a lot of pressure on workshops and mechanics in the period after Easter and into the summer. Customers are now encouraged not only to get help when their bikes are in winter storage, but also to use the fall when the pressure is often lower. Customers are also encouraged to book an appointment well in advance. MC Oslo has already started to market its workshop services, even though it’s the middle of January. The work may not be carried out until the spring, but booking as much as possible now will make it easier to plan spring work.
