www . PowersportsBusiness . com Powersports Business • July 2024 • 17

BY MADELYN PEGG ASSOCIATE EDITOR

“ Kade Rzewnicki has been with the company for 18 years and has always aspired to do more ,” says Lloyd Hildebrand , owner of Macomb Powersports . “ He worked his way up through the ranks from mechanic to service manager to now , our general manager of operations . He graduated [ in March ] from Garage Composites ’ General Manager Training , a yearlong program . He is now fully into his role as our acting GM , and we look forward to his leadership and vision in helping us grow and taking us to the next level .”

Rzewnicki grew up in Macomb County and started riding at a young age . “ As soon as my dad told us we could start those threewheelers , we could ride them . So that ’ s when the passion began ,” he says . “ Throughout the years we got some old minibikes and dirt bikes and fixed them up . I just loved working with my hands , so in 2005 I went to the American Motorcycle Institute ( AMI ) in Daytona Beach and learned how to wrench . I came back and started here in 2006 . That is where it all started .”

He recommends industry people go through training . He says he learned a lot about specific metrics that are tracked throughout the dealership , from parts to service to sales . “ They ’ re really helpful , and they tell you a lot about the behaviors in your dealership ,” he says , “ what people are doing right and what people are doing wrong , just by reviewing the composite ,” which is their format of the financials .

“ Kade ' s hard work , commitment , and focus got him where he is today ,” Hildebrand says . “ We are very proud of him and extremely lucky to have a person of this caliber and work ethic on our roster . He is the best thing that has ever happened to our business and our family 18 years ago , and we have enjoyed these years watching him grow into his new leadership role in our organization .”

“ He ’ s a great guy , a great mentor ,” Rzewnicki says about Hildebrand . “ He ’ s a family guy , as I am , and we ’ re both numbers guys . We clicked a long time ago .”

As a general manager , Rzewnicki is focused on being a good coach to his team . He says it is important that his team understands what goals have been set and the reason behind tasks assigned to them . “ Why does it matter ? What kind of difference does it make ? Give them some statistics so they understand and don ’ t just follow your rules ,” he explains .

“ I ’ m more of a servant leader ,” he continues .” ‘ What do you need from me so you can do your job well ?’ We want to supply all our employees with all the tools they need to do it efficiently and do it well .”

TRAINING AND COMMUNICATING As a 2023 Powersports Business Best-In- Class winner for the service department , the Macomb team especially strives for efficiency in this department . The dealership ’ s service team is made up of Honda Red Level certified technicians , and Brian Ladner , a winner of the 2023 Yamaha World Technician Grand Prix . “ He won the gold , got to take home some prizes , and they took him to France to the headquarters ,” Rzewnicki says .

“ I have a really good team of technicians back there . We send them to training every single year … When it slows down in the fall , everybody ’ s doing all the online training they can do . They usually go somewhere once a year for training . They pick an OEM and get really involved in the training and stay up on the new technology ,” he says , noting that training is a game changer within the

See Macomb Powersports , Page 18

Kade Rzewnicki ( right ) is the general manager of Macomb Powersports and is pictured with Lloyd Hildebrand . Rzweinicki says the two clicked a long time ago and share of love for their families and numbers . Photos courtesy of Macomb Powersports

Two years ago , Macomb relocated from two buildings to a 22,000 square foot facility , improving operations in each department .

I have a really good team of technicians ... We send them to training every single year ... When it slows down in the fall , everybody ’ s doing all the online training they can do . They usually go out of town once a year and pick an OEM and get really involved in the training and stay up on the new technology .

Kade Rzewnicki General Manager of Operations Macomb Powersports