Retirement has resulted in the closure and sale of Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The dealership was established in 1964 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania as Harley-Davidson Motors. After moving a number of times and undergoing several name changes, Hot Metal Harley-Davidson finally made its home at the Frito-Lay distribution center on Route 885 in West Mifflin where it operated since 2004.
Dealer principal Toby O’Brien split his customer base between George Gatto of Three Rivers Harley-Davidson, Pokey Weiss of Steel City Harley-Davidson and Jim McMahan of Z & M Harley-Davidson. “George Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services was able to identify multiple buyers, but ultimately, we negotiated a buy-sell with the Verackas,” said O’Brien. “Unfortunately, Harley-Davidson Motor Company decided to exercise their Right of First Refusal and assign the Asset Purchase Agreement to the three surrounding dealers and close the location. It was not what I had intended for my legacy of 18 years as a dealer, my amazing staff, and loyal customers.
“I am hopeful that my employees will be able to get jobs at the surrounding dealerships and that my customers will get the exceptional customer service that they have grown accustomed to,” he adds. “Hot Metal Harley-Davidson has been a huge part of my life, and this was not an easy situation to go through. I appreciate George Chaconas and his Associate, Courtney Bernhard, for helping me navigate this very difficult, challenging, and emotional situation for myself and my family. I want to extend a sincere thank you to my dedicated staff and customers who have become like family to me. Hot Metal Harley-Davidson will always hold a special place in my heart.”
“I had the pleasure of meeting Toby at the Harley-Davidson Dealer Show in Boston 5 years ago, and we have since developed a friendship," commented George C. Chaconas, exclusive advisor for this transaction and the head of the National Harley-Davidson and Powersports Division for Performance Brokerage Services. "We recently started talking about his exit strategy since he didn’t have a succession plan. I wish Toby and his family the best and much continued success to the surrounding dealers.”
The dealership has closed its doors, and its customers will now be served by Three Rivers Harley-Davidson in Glenshaw, Steel City Harley-Davidson in Washington, and Z & M Harley-Davidson in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
