Royal Enfield buys UK-based firm Harris Performance

Harris Performance designs and manufactures specialised high performance motorcycle chassis and components

Royal Enfield has acquired UK-based Harris Performance Products for an undisclosed amount. Under the terms of the deal, the Chennai-based company will acquire the assets, employees, trade names, know-how, and intellectual property of Harris.

This is Royal Enfield’s first acquisition.

Harris Performance was set up 40 years ago by brothers Steve and Lester Harris, and third director Stephen Bayford. The company is known for its design and manufacturing of high-performance motorcycle chassis (base frame) and components.

Harris Performance has had a long-standing relationship with Royal Enfield. It has developed the chassis of the iconic Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer.

Siddhartha Lal, chief executive, Royal Enfield, said the company was working on new-generation products and platforms. Getting the Harris Performance team to work with the company would boost Enfield’s engineering and product design, he added.

“Their proven expertise, deep insight and understanding of motorcycling will be invaluable for us in our journey towards achieving leadership in the global mid-sized motorcycling segment,” said Lal.

Harris Performance has been the only manufacturer from the UK to have been officially commissioned by Yamaha and Suzuki to design, develop and manufacture race bikes for Grand Prix and World Superbike racing series.

According to Lal, the existing staff of Harris Performance will become Royal Enfield employees. “They (Harris Performance staff) would take the responsibility of performance and development engineering for our new range of motorcycles; they will be part of Royal Enfield’s upcoming UK Tech Centre,” he said.