All the Info You Need on Matrix Concepts

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Brad Mclean and Brady Sheren are the two brains behind the new Canadian arm of a new company called Matrix Concepts. You can check them out on the web right here. Sheren, 21 years old and Mclean, 28 years old are part-owners of this exciting new company along with Chadd and Cameron Cole. Together these four kids have a ton of experience in the industry and if they ever get into a bind, there is always Rick Sheren and Eddie Cole to lean on as those two have set the bar for aftermarket companies on both sides of the border.

I caught up to Brad and Brady after the Indy show to get their take on things and learn more about the cool products.

How was the show for you guys?

Brady Sheren: It went really well we had a positive response with everyone who came by. It was really cool.   It's kinda cool being one of the only new products at the show. We walked around a lot and there wasn’t really anyone there that came out swinging.  It was good press for us, created a buzz at the show.

Brad, have you ever been there before?

Brad Mclean-Yes, two years ago with 661, so this is my second time. It's a great show and a good place to launch new products and a new brand. It definitely gets your name out there with dealers and industry people to see what you have to offer.

What was the response like from the dealers? I’m sure they’ve seen your stuff before…

BS- We had a lot of people come by and had seen the stuff at the supercrosses and didn't know much more about it. They had seen it on Stewart's bike and Villopoto's bike, so it definitely let people know where they can purchase the stuff. It was a big education for the dealers.

L&M Yamaha uses Matrix products for Stewie and Hill's bikes.

You guys are incredibly fortunate to have all your dad's behind you, they all have a lot of experience in the industry. That helped you get with Stewart and Reed and their teams. Talk about how your dads helped you.

BS-Yeah, Eddie and my dad are a huge help. Eddie and I have another side project going on and we’re learning a ton. Eddie is awesome. We're learning a ton as we go from those guys and you can't ask for anything better than that. It's cool to have that gift of their knowledge and contacts in the industry.  It's a huge blessing.

Brad, your dad owned Pacific Yamaha for years. So, you're like Brady and Eddie's kids, this is all you know.  

BM-Yeah, the only jobs I've ever had have been in the motorcycle industry. My first job was working for Rick in his warehouse back when it was AXO Canada. I've done everything at the dealership from working behind the parts counter, putting bikes together to some sales. I’ve even worked at 661 Canada when we sold to them, and now going into the Matrix thing.

The guys I spoke to at Kawi love this Matrix gas can.

So, what's been the response from the teams on the product?

BM-So far all the teams have had a great response to the product. They have actually helped with development by giving us tips on how to make it work better for them. We’re learning from the best so that’s been great to have their input.

BS-I went to Anaheim 2 and talked to Mike Fisher and some of the team guys about their response to it and it was all really positive. Like Brad said, they’re helping us develop it and putting a bunch of smart people together to make a cool product.

Getting back to the Indy Dealer Show, there did seem to be a lack of new companies with new products so you guys had an advantage there. 

BS-Yeah definitely, last time there was all kinds of new stuff. With the economy no one is willing to take a chance, us coming out now creates more buzz when you are new guy there.

BM-People from inside the industry were saying we have coolest new booth. They were telling us that this is reason they come to the show-to see new products, things they’ve never seen before.

Just another example of the stuff. Check them out on the web.

When are you looking to launch Matrix Concepts?

BM- We’re just putting it into production now. Hopefully have all the product in stock beginning of April.

Brady, have you been riding?

BS-I don't even own a motorcycle right now, it’s a weird feeling. First time in fourteen years!  I’ve been mostly helping with products. I think I’m going to get a bike here pretty quick, I still love to ride. I love to ride and will always keep up with it.  But also, it’s winter here and there’s nowhere to ride.

So no Toronto Supercross for you I’m guessing?

BS-No, definitely not but we have that last arenacross in Penticton in March so I’ll have to start getting ready for that. I should look or at least sit on a bike before then?

I see you guys have plastic loading ramps…no problem with slipping off?

BS- No not at all. They’re not as slick as the aluminum ones. They have little ridges built in as well to help give the wheel traction. The gaps in between help as well, the edge of the rails stick up and hold the wheel great. The ramps catch the knob of the tire.

What about having Bob Hannah in the booth? That had to have been cool.

BM- Yeah for sure, Bob’s cool. It’s just awesome hanging out with the guy and hearing the stories. Having him there is great and drives traffic to the booth.

BS- He’s great, he cracks me up man. The stories that he tells is great. It’s pretty funny to interact with people who come up and ask him questions or for an autograph.

Yeah, I don’t think he suffers fools much…

BS- No, not at all man. He’ll just tell people how it is.

BM- It seemed that every person that went up asked him if they remember him from some race somewhere.

My crappy photo skills don't do Matrix's booth at Indy justice, they had some of the newest stuff there.

You guys should have asked him why he doesn’t want to do a podcast with me. He just said no.

BS- (Laughs) Yeah, we’ll ask him.

So what are the future plans for Matrix Concepts? You guys have any cool ideas you can share?

BM- Yeah, we’ve thought about the next phase and where we want to go with it. For now, we have to put all our effort into getting this stuff out into the market. We want to be the brand leader for what we have coming out right now but the long-term goal is to be one of the first brands that you think of when you need one of our products for your shop, garage or utility shed.