Leatt Corporation, the South Africa-based developer and manufacturer of protective gear for the active sports market, reported that it is growing its team and investing in supporting independent bike dealers (IBDs) in the U.S.
Based in Santa Cruz, CA, Joe Ritchey joins Leatt as U.S. sales manager, MTB, after ten years at Giro, Bell, Blackburn, and Raskullz, including leading the North American bike sales team for those brands.
“I see nothing but opportunity to grow Leatt,” said Ritchey. “The product, the people, the infrastructure, it’s all here and poised for success. We have a sound sales strategy that prioritizes independent bike dealers, and I’m eager to help put these pieces in place.”
Eric Highlander, based in Portola, CA, joined Leatt earlier this year as MTB sales and marketing rep for the Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Utah territories. Highlander joins the team with nearly two decades of bike industry experience, working with the Santa Cruz Bicycles, Praxis and Niner brands.
Based in Carlsbad, CA, Ryan Siegel joined Leatt as the MTB sales and marketing rep covering Southern California, Southern Nevada and Arizona. Siegel is a retired firefighter and, most recently, worked as a tech rep for Rocky Mountain Bicycles.
“These strategic new positions, along with Dain Zaffke leading the MTB sales and marketing team, give Leatt a foundation for success,” said Todd Repsher, GM of Leatt USA. “Phase two starts now, and that will focus on sales representation in other key regions. We’re actively hiring to complete the sales force across the U.S.”
“We just started showing the Model Year 2025 product line, and dealers have been highly receptive to the line and our sales programs,” said Ritchey. “Now it’s just a matter of giving IBDs the time and attention they deserve.”
Image courtesy Leatt Corporation
