Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Vaughn L. Beals, Jr.
Harley-Davidson
1981–1996
1981–1996
Harley-Davidson
1981–1996
1981–1996
- Industry: Automotive & Aerospace
- Era: 1980
Beals and fellow AMF executives orchestrated a leveraged buyout of Harley-Davidson in 1981 when it was on the brink of collapse. Through the adoption of quality management approaches and prudent investments, Beals and his team are credited with the resurrection of Harley-Davidson. Within five years, Harley-Davidson almost doubled its market share (over 20%) and restored is reputation as a premium motorcycle brand. From 1986 onward, Beals invested in new acquisitions and continued to generate market share growth.
Education / Military
- Graduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology