Coliant, a local startup, is forming a partnership with a name-brand corporation, Harley Davidson, to produce the next big thing in motorcycle gear: microclimate technology.
The Warren-based startup’s newly-developed personal climate-control technology, i.e. Smart Clothing system, works to keep users warm while riding motorcycles and other similar vehicles, like ATVs. Coliant plans to ship its first units to Harley Davidson late next year.
"We're trying to set the standard in this industry, open-cabin vehicles," says John Swiatek, CEO of
Coliant.
The 10-year-old company has been producing accessory technology for outdoors vehicles for years. Its
Powerlet brand is an electrical accessory in the powersport industry that allows users of motorcycles and ATVs to plug their gadgets into the vehicle. Coliant won the $25,000 prize in the Next Generation Manufacturing category at the
Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition last fall for its technological innovations.
"The technology has advanced," Swiatek says. "Our customers are evolving."
Which has meant the company has shaken up its staff. It hired two new executives over the last year, including a president and head of business development. Right now the team is focused on its microclimate technology for clothing.
"This is the largest project we're undertaking at the moment," Swiatek says.
Source: John Swiatek, CEO of Coliant
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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