Orange County Choppers

Orange County Choppers, Inc. (short OCC) is an American motorcycle manufacturer that specializes in custom chopper. Internationally known the company was the television series American Chopper.

History

The company Orange County Choppers, was founded in 1999 in Rock Tavern, Orange County in upstate New York, not in California's Orange County, as quite often mistakenly claimed. It emerged from the steel construction company Orange County Ironworks. OCC was first announced at the 1999 Daytona Beach Bike Week, where she presented the True - Blue -bike, a classic chopper, the Paul Teutul Sr. had made in the basement of his house.

The company was chosen in 2002 by the American Iron Magazine among the twelve best Motorcycle designers in the world and with 19 other motorcycle manufacturers in the book Haute Motor: The Art of the Chopper immortalized.

In addition to often for charitable or promotional purposes, commissioned themed bikes OCC also produces series vehicles which are based on the contract work. Currently, there are 14 different models to choose from.

Corporate offices & manufacturing facilities

First began in the halls of Orange County Iron Works with production, where all metal and sheet metal work could be carried out. Later they built on the premises a separate building, which was expanded several times over the years. Finally, they built near Montgomery an independent complex, which offered an approximately twice as large capacity. It was followed by the opening of a shop premises for the sale of the stock bikes.

In April 2008, the company opened a new headquarters near Newburgh, NY. Production and sales rooms should be merged so that visitors can watch the employees in the production of motorcycles. The cost was about 16 million U.S. dollars.

Age headquarters of the OCC in Montgomery, in 2008, sold 41 ° 31 ' 37.7 "N, 74 ° 13' 40 " W41.527135 - 74.227774

Old shop the OCC, Montgomery Plaza, closed in 2008, 41 ° 31 ' 29.6 "N, 74 ° 11' 55.8 " W41.524886 - 74.198847

Headquarters of OCC since 2008 41 ° 30 ' 20.5 "N, 74 ° 4' 40.7 " W41.505684 - 74.077962

Owners and employees

Paul Teutul Sr.

Paul John Teutul ( born May 1, 1949) (nicknamed (The) Senior) is the founder of OCC and beyond the steel company Orange County Ironworks. After he was involved in the early years actively involved in the production vehicle at OCC, he devoted himself increasingly to the management of the company and works only occasionally even on the motorcycles. Optical trademarks are his mustache and tattoos on his upper arms. He also carries exclusively underarm shirts.

Rick Petko

Rick Petko ( born September 11, 1968) is working as a mechanic at OCC. He can be seen in the construction of motorcycles since the first season American Chopper. He is responsible in particular for the manufacture of tanks.

Jason Pohl

Jason Gabrial Pohl ( born July 1, 1981) works as a designer. After he was initially mainly responsible for the design of individual parts such as wheels or tanks, grew with the years its remit. He is increasingly responsible for the complete design of the OCC motorcycles.

More known by name staff

• Michael " Mike" Ammirati ( born December 25, 1958), Store Supervisor, Mechanic
• Ralph Estrada Jr. ( born August 21, 1978), painter
• Nick Hansford ( born May 16, 1978), Mechanics
• Christian Welter (born 9 September 1978), Mechanics
• Steve Moreau ( born May 15, 1970), Managing
• Jim Quinn ( born June 12, 1966), engineering
• Ron Salsbury ( born June 11, 1972), production manager
• Earle Herman Smith III ( born April 26, 1975), warehouseman
• Ty Kropp (born 31 August 1987), machine operator
• Mike Burkhouse ( born August 20, 1960), sellers
• Jody Flannery ( born August 17, 1969), logistics
• John Sohigian ( born August 1, 1960), marketing
• Eric England ( born August 6 1975), Webmaster
• Kate Cleary, accountant
• Michele Kaplan, Public Relations
• Walter Kozlowski ( born November 3, 1953), the controller
• Willy Eckert (born 3 February 1983), Mechanics
• John Randazzo

• Jeff Clegg ( won the OCC Fantasy Bike " Corporal Punishment" )

Former Employees

Paul Teutul Jr.

Paul Michael Teutul ( born October 2, 1974) (nicknamed Paulie ) is a former partner of OCC. After high school graduation Teutul Jr. moved directly into his father's company, where he was first Director of the Sales Department. He led the design and manufacture of almost all themed bikes that were accompanied in American Chopper. The beginning of 2009 he came with his father in a heated argument about his work ethic. Since then Teutul Jr. worked no longer active on the motorcycles and was briefly worked as a consultant for major projects of the company. Meanwhile, he has OCC, like, completely leave his brother Michael, and with him founded under the name of Paul Jr. Designs own business. In the first episode of the seventh season of " American Chopper " was announced that Teutul Jr. now wants to build motorcycles. The acquired for commercial property is not far from the old OCC shop. Teutul Jr. was with Vincent DiMartino, Joseph Puliafico and Cody Connelly three former OCC employees for the new project to recruit.

Michael Teutul

Michael Joseph Teutul (born 26 November 1978) (nicknamed Mikey ) is the youngest son of Paul Teutul Sr. He was employed as an assistant at OCC, he also supported the webmaster of the OCC homepage. In the television series, he is shown as a " joker " within OCC, which calls attention to itself with strange ideas or competitions among employees. He was also active at promotional events of the company. His skills as a mechanic standing behind those of other staff. Nevertheless, he has created the "Blues Bike" own chopper. He parted now also in dispute by his father, devoted to his art and now has gone into the new company of his brother. Michael, who is trying to get his drug addiction (alcohol) in the handle, increases in the 2012 season out of the mission and is dedicated to increasing his painting.

Vincent DiMartino

Vincent " Vinnie " DiMartino ( born October 9, 1972) was OCC mechanic and Paul Teutul years Jr. 's partner in the production of themed bikes. He left the company in late August 2007, together with Cody Connelly and founded his own custom bike company called V-Force Customs. In 2010 he began working for Paul Jr. Designs.

Other former employees

• Cody Connelly (born 30 August 1987), mechanic, apprentice before, now with Paul Jr. Designs
• Mike Campo, mechanics ( to 2005)
• Keith Quill, Managing Director
• Craig Chapman, mechanic
• Whitney McGuire, Merchandising ( former girlfriend of Paul Teutul Jr.)
• Lee Stamper
• Joseph S. Puliafico, managing director of the OCC shop, now with Paul Jr. Designs
• Sven Bastubbe ( born November 14, 1972), extradition and repatriation, now also in " Paul Jr. Designs"

Television series American Chopper

Internationally known the company was the television series American Chopper, which aired from 2002 until early 2010 on the Discovery Channel or the transmitter TLC. In Germany a underlaid with off- speakers version of DMAX is broadcast.

In early April, 2010, TLC announced that a seventh season called American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior is produced. The season will be broadcast by DMAX since 1 November 2010.

A feature of the series are the numerous and sometimes violent clashes between Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. Paul Seniors Common triggers are criticizing the work attitude of Paul Jr., new design variants or workflows. Seniors Paul is especially interested in old school bikes, while Paul Jr. rather critical views on this style and modern, fancy designs underestimated.

Selection of themed bikes

Mountain Creek Bike

NY Jets Bike

NY Giants Bike

Yankee Bike

NY Chiefs Bike

Black Widow Bike

Miami Heat Bike

Jet Bike

Firebike

Serial bike

U.S. Army Bike

Lugz Bike

FBI Bike

Darien Lake Bike with Michael Ammirati

Motorcycle models to series

• Scale 1:10:

Jet Bike, Black Widow, Fire Bike, Old School Chopper, Commanche, Old School Chopper (Cody project ), Mikey 's Bike, Tool Bike, Santa Claus Bike, POW / MIA Bike, Miller Electric, Dixie Chopper, Caterpillar Bike, LUCY 'S bike, Napa Bike, The Reel Deal chopper

• 1:6 scale:

Jet Bike, Fire Bike

Trivia

In the music video Rockstar of the Canadian band Nickelback Paul Teutul Sr., Paul Teutul Jr. and Michael Teutul can be seen in three cuttings. In addition, Paul Teutul Sr. and Jr. are with their motorcycles briefly in the film Born to be Wild - saumäßig to see along the way, including with John Travolta, Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence. They also have in Season 3 of the series My Name is Earl made ​​an appearance, for this series, they have also built a bike.