So here I am, wandering the Robinson Mall in Sriracha, Thailand yesterday. I take the escalator up to the next floor and ....BAM!!! I see a Triumph Rocket to my right and a Speedmaster to my left, both on display.
There's some huge signs for Triumph and a crowd of people. Turns out the factory here is expanding (they have 3 factories) and they were holding a recruting drive to get more people. Also note how they describe how things are done with regards to the UK.
I check out the Rocket and take a pic of the Speedmaster.
I am then approached by a Triumph factory guy (wearing a company shirt, not ones they sell to public) and asks me if I ever heard of Triumph. I tell him that I have a 2007 America back in the USA. He then says they call that the MK model. The Speedmaster is called ML model. We start talking. Tells me the exhaust pipe header is one of the more difficult pieces to manufacturer. Double wall with bends, takes 12-14 steps to produce.
Then, out of the blue, without my prompting, he says they will soon build the 1500. He says it's very secret but he has seen concepts for it. EFI, parallel-twin, air cooled, chain drive, twin disc front brakes. Not sure what questions I should have asked, I wasn't expecting him to blurt it out.
We talk some more, I show him pics of my TBA, told him about AI removal and why it's done. He disagrees, says the double wall exhaust pipe will not have that problem. He is curious about the sound of my Bubs, I tell him they are awesome!
He asks me what I think of the new 675. I told him I prefer the cruiser look. He tells me they will soon open a dealership in Bangkok & Chiang Mai (maybe Pattaya but they are not sure due to proximity to Bangkok). The old fuel tank, with the great indents, were produced somewhere in Germany. Thailand now manufactures the new design fuel tanks. They will soon be switching to assembling EFI engines.
Eventually, we shake hands and he goes off. I walk away stunned by what he told me, and really missing my bike now.
I would have considered applying for a job, but all they wanted are Thai Nationals, which means they can't afford me.
He told me two British guys do work here in Thailand, overseeing operations.
I am still shocked seeing the their display and floor space they occupied.
