Bicycle Industry Escapes the Worst of the Tsunami

MAARSSEN, Netherlands (Jan 20) - News in from Thailand and Sri Lanka following the tsunami shows that the major export manufacturing plants in the regions have escaped loss of human life and even damage to key property. Deep water traffic was not interrupted but it also seems that the key ports of Colombo and Bangkok have continued to operate without disruption. Asiabike in Sri Lanka, located closest to the shoreline, reports that despite the scale of the devastation around Sri Lanka all of their employees reported for work as usual the day after the tsunami hit. Isthiark Farook, boss of Asiabike reports that the destruction was limited to within a 100m or so of the ocean in his area. He also advises that there has not been any disruption to infrastructure in the Colombo area with the Port of Colombo being fully operational the next day. DSI (Samson) also located close to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo reports that it is business as usual for them too. DSI also own factories in the worst hit areas around Galle in the south but as these were located inland, no damage was done but several showrooms and warehouses closer to the shore around the Eastern and Southern coasts were lost or damaged. Bangkok Cycle located in Sampran south west of Bangkok report business as usual with Bangkok port being fully operational throughout the disaster. There have been no disruptions to incoming or outgoing goods. Bangkok Cycle report that all of their key customers were very quick to make contact after the disaster to make sure that they and their staff were safe. A gesture which was much appreciated. Vitorn Sukanjanapong, boss of Vee Rubber also reports no disruption and a full report to work the day after the disaster. Vee Rubber also located in the Gulf of Thailand report business as usual. More detailed reports to follow in next months Bike Europe. For now, we can add, that Shimano has donated USD 200.000 to the victims of the Tsunami. The money was donated on behalf of the whole ‘Shimano family’ meaning the 6500 employees worldwide.