“Sometimes, you just need to move on.” That seems to be the message coming out of today’s news. In a report first broken by Vasilis Moraitis’ JetSkiWorld blog, R&D Performance Products will be closing its doors this September 27th. For many insiders who asked to remain anonymous, the news was a not-so-shocking revelation given several factors, the primary being the surmounting cost of doing business – particularly in the way of foundries and aluminum casting – in California.
In the report, a statement was issued thanking all of those loyal customers and racers for continuing to put R&D’s products atop podiums for over 30 years. Interestingly, rather than naming the change a “closure,” R&D’s President Glenn Dickinson called it a “semi-retirement,” hinting at possible future endeavors for the team. R&D came from a partnership between Dickinson and former Performance Jet Ski (PJS) technician Bill Chapin.
With Chapin mainly overseeing the testing and development of new products out of his home in Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Dickinson tackling the manufacturing, machining and handling of the products out of their Santa Fe Springs, CA location, R&D Performance (or “R&D Racing Products” as Glenn writes in his letter) built a reputation for being a pioneer in handling and top end PWC performance. R&D’s sponsorship was also instrumental getting the Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 launched.
In the press release issued earlier today, R&D Performance wrote:
It is with sincere regret we inform you that, as of September 27, 2018, R&D Racing Products has decided to close its doors. All available products on order will ship until the final day. It is our upmost priority to inform you about this decision as you are one of our most regarded customers. R&D Racing Products has been a front runner in the watercraft industry for over 30 years, and we are extremely proud of what we have accomplished during that time. We could not be more thankful to those of you who have believed in us and contributed to our success over the years. As our industry has evolved, we look forward to a semi-retirement and the possibility of exciting new endeavors. It has been a great pleasure doing business with you and we thank you for your patronage.
Our sincerest regards,
Glenn Dickinson
