Racing Parts Business Helping with Logistics
Located just north of Peoria in Edwards IL, family-owned Hoerr Racing has been involved in the racing business since 1965. While making racing products has been their main focus, handling logistics has also become a priority.
Rudy Hoerr, who formed the business with his wife Annie, was a member of USAC (United States Automobile Club) and was one of the first stock car owners. He also owned his sons' racecars when they drove professionally. His son Irv was quite talented and was the leading driver for Oldsmobile for 15 years at GM. Hoerr Racing remained involved in supplying racecars for motor sports up until 2002 and went into the wholesale business.
Hoerr Racing President Jason Mitchell shared that the company has enjoyed its move into that realm of business. “The wholesale side of the business is where we’ve really blossomed, and while our main part of the brand is still supporting motor sports, we are logistically superior so we can help take products into the marketplace,” Mitchell said.
Companies such as Loctite have had trouble navigating the new markets, and Hoerr Racing has been key to helping them find ways into the marketplace. As Mitchell pointed out, “I liken us to a speedboat helping a cruise ship out of the port, as we are logistically superior and can help them navigate.”
In terms of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic, Hoerr Racing has actually received a boost in their business. Due to their essential business status, they were able to increase their capabilities while competitors decreased and have doubled their business size in the past two years.
Some future aspirations for the business include remote warehouses in Virginia and Nevada, and they will begin the process of that sometime in 2023 and start setting up shop in 2024.
*Mitchell discussed the help that the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Jim Foley’s team at Bradley University have given their business, particularly in problem-solution categories. Recently, they tried to get consignment inventory into Canada and Foley’s team helped with the binding ruling that will resolve the border issue. The Illinois International Trade Center at Bradley has also been influential in dealing with international partners, and having Bradley be a local resource for them has been greatly beneficial.
Mitchell discussed the assistance they received from the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) which provided us to win some substantial government contracts. “Keli Krueger-Huhra, PTAC Director, was instrumental in helping us navigate government supply, in particular DLA.”
Mitchell also explained that they are a unique client to Bradley’s centers. We have also worked with Jim Foley’s team in the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) for over 10 years. “Their guidance has given us clarity in all facets of exporting, particularly in problem-solution categories.” Recently, we tried to get consignment inventory into Canada and Foley’s team helped with the binding ruling that will resolve the border issue. The ITC has also been influential in dealing with international partners, and having Bradley be a local resource for them has been greatly beneficial. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with both centers.
Mitchell says that success for the company is to accomplish things with integrity and staying true to your values. “Money makes the world go round, but if money is your definition of success, you’ll end up disappointed,” Mitchell said.
Contact Info
(309) 691-8789
