COLOGNE, Germany - From the start of next year, Georg Honkomp will hand over his position as chairman of the board of Europe's biggest dealer cooperative, German ZEG, to his successor Fred Schierenbeck.
HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - As the market continues to be challenging, liquidity will remain a key focus of the Accell Group, according to a business update of the company published yesterday. With accounts for 2023 finalised with a 10% revenue drop, "recovery is well on track across the business," states CEO Tjeerd Jegen.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - The fact that the Taiwanese supply chain has struggled during 2024 is fully evident in the latest custom statistics. In Q3, the island nation exported around 75,000 e-bike units, a 44% drop compared to 2023. E-bike exports to the EU specifically dropped 55% to a mere 34,000 units between July and September. Most significantly, the country is on course to see its export value drop half a billion euros this year in total.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In recognition of its ESG activities, Giant Group has joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets Index, making it the first company in the bicycle industry to have this distinction.
QUEBEC, Canada - Long standing bicycle manufacturer Rocky Mountain Bicycles has filed for Chapter 11 status to restructure the company. The company will continue its operations in full during its self-initiated restructuring process under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), reports the Canadian new service Cision's Newswire.
WELS, Austria - After motorcycle company KTM AG had to file an application for restructuring proceedings with self-administration at the end of November, its parent company Pierer Mobility AG commissioned Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG on 17 December to reorganise the ownership structure.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The import statistics of the European Union clearly indicate that China regained its leading position as e-bike supplier for Europe's market. At the same time, the market is drowned with cheap and non-compliant China made e-bikes whose sellers shamelessly advertise the presence of a throttle and how to circumvent the maximum support of 25 km/h. How should the industry respond to these market developments?
ALISO VIEJO, USA - The reorganisation of the Pon owned brand GT Bicycles has resulted in much speculation regarding the future of the brand. Some even assumed that GT Bicycles would shut down once all inventory is sold. According to a Pon spokesperson, the decision to restructure this subsidiary was taken, "to lay a solid foundation for its next chapter."
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Folding bike specialist Ahooga has welcomed Tomi Viiala, former CEO of Stromer, as an advisor to the Board. Known for his instrumental role in transforming Stromer into the global leader in speed pedelecs, Viiala will support Ahooga in advising on driving strategic growth across Europe.
VIENNA, Austria - After a three-month restructuring process a new investor has secured the successful restart of Austrian custom-bike builder, Simplon. SOL Capital Management GmbH announced an undisclosed capital injection by one of its funds securing the future of the bike manufacturer.
DIJON, France - The news came out already earlier, but was only published officially today. Accell Group's brand Cycles Lapierre is making a return to the to the UCI World Tour as the official bike sponsor for Team Picnic PostNL. The team will compete on Lapierre bicycles for the next four years.
PARIS, France - The budget crisis in France which led to a lot of political turmoil recently has a big impact on the bicycle and e-bike industry as well. With no previous warning, the Government announced that all state subsidies for the purchase of bicycles and e-bikes will be eliminated on very short notice. The 'Alliance for Cycling' warns of a significant consequence of such a decision for the whole cycling industry.
