The Irvine-based Motorcycle Industry Council is a rider’s dream.
The trade group’s lobby has two motorcycles on display, set up so they can be easily rolled out and taken for a spin.
Photographs of bikes adorn the hallways. Motorcycle videos play on monitors and screens scattered throughout the office.
In the break room are two racks full of motorcycle magazines.
A lot of people passionate about motorcycles work within these halls, said Tim Buche, chief executive for the council.
The not-for-profit represents about 300 motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle makers and sellers, parts and accessories makers and advertising agencies, insurance companies, and others involved in the industry.
It lobbies governments on behalf of riders and makers, does market research, industry marketing and other work.
“We’re a small but nimble organization tasked with improving the experiences (of) and education for motorcycles,” Buche said. “Our member companies expect us to have the best employees in the industry because they are just paying for a portion of that to move the entire industry forward.”
The council ranked No. 1 in the medium company category in the Business Journal’s inaugural Best Places to Work list.
The list was compiled for the Business Journal by Harrisburg, Pa.-based Best Companies Group, an independent workplace researcher that managed the registration process, conducted surveys, evaluated the data and selected companies for the list based on overall scores from queries of management and employees.
Big Japanese motorcycle makers drive the council: Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., which has its U.S. headquarters in Irvine; Honda Motor Co. with operations in Torrance; Suzuki Motor Corp., which has its U.S. base in Brea, and Yamaha Motor Co., with operations in Cypress.
They make up the bulk of the council’s board, which sets an overall direction for the group’s work.
“It’s great to be at a company whose board supports and directs what we do,” Buche said. “Not many people get to try to contemplate the future and then have the empowerment of a board of directors that says, ‘Go forth and make that happen.’”
The council is affiliated with three other groups, all housed in the same building: the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the ATV Safety Institute and the National Motorcycle Safety Fund.
The group looks to its employees to be disciples of its cause, encouraging them to be smart and safe motorcyclists.
One of the perks for workers: The council offers a motorcycle maintenance program that includes reimbursement of expenses on motorcycle repairs and upgrades.
“One of the benefits is if you ride, we’ll support you,” Buche said.
Employees also get discounts on parts and accessories and can do free motorcycle and ATV training.
Riding Gear Dress Code
And the council’s dress code is leather friendly. For those who ride motorcycles to work, there’s a lax dress code that allows riding gear.
“So it’s not required that you change,” Buche said.
Camaraderie is a big part of motorcycling and the council as well.
“It’s not uncommon for people to ride through Laguna Canyon to work,” Buche said. “Sometimes the lunch hour is extended just a little bit for a group ride.”
The group celebrates employees’ birthdays, sponsors staff contests and has frequent parties. These include management-cooked barbecues and breakfast and pizza lunches.
The office keeps an area in front of the building to display employee bikes.
“The day you ride to work is one of the better days of the week,” Buche said.
The council offers a gym discount for workers. Other benefits include childcare and elder care referral services, as well as a confidential support service for employees and dependants with a counselor available to talk about everything from family issues to relocation concerns.
“They go hand in hand when you ride—the physical and the mental—so we try to support our associates in both factors,” Buche said.
The office also offers free onsite flu shots and an annual health fair with a variety of screenings and tests.
“We have the opportunity to represent a great industry,” Buche said. “We’re talking about companies that make great products and companies that care for their customers. They fund us and charge us with the responsibility to take care of their customers.”
