Harley-Davidson Reminds Shareholders to Vote Ahead of May 14 Annual Meeting

Core Viewpoint - Harley-Davidson is urging shareholders to vote "FOR ALL" of its director nominees on the WHITE proxy card ahead of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 14, 2025, emphasizing the importance of shareholder participation in protecting their investment and the company's future [1][2][4]. Shareholder Engagement - The company stresses the urgency for shareholders to cast their votes by telephone or online, highlighting that every vote is crucial regardless of the number of shares owned [2][3]. - Harley-Davidson has communicated directly with shareholders, reinforcing the significance of their votes in shaping the company's direction and leadership [2][4]. Board of Directors and Leadership Transition - The company is at a pivotal moment in its 120+-year history, actively seeking a new CEO who can uphold its heritage and drive future growth [5]. - The Board of Directors is engaged in a rigorous process to identify a suitable leader, and the current campaign by H Partners is viewed as a distraction that could hinder this process [5][12]. Proxy Advisory Support - Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), a leading independent proxy advisor, has recommended that shareholders vote "FOR ALL" of Harley-Davidson's director nominees, stating that H Partners has not made a compelling case for change [8][10]. - ISS has noted that the strategy implemented by the current leadership has positively impacted the company's performance, contrasting with its previous underperformance [10]. Opposition to H Partners - The company characterizes H Partners as an opportunistic hedge fund whose campaign is self-interested and detrimental to shareholder interests [11][13]. - H Partners' actions are seen as undermining the Board's efforts to attract the best CEO candidates, with ISS indicating that the campaign has likely delayed the CEO search process [12].