Possible Take-Over of Derby Cycle Werke

SHANGHAI, China (May 11) – It was denied nor confirmed by the people from Raleigh International that were visiting the 15th China International Bicycle & Motor Fair that took place last week (May 4 to 7) in Shanghai, China. But rumours were that strong that there must be something going on. It has been a widely discussed theme for some time now, that the German subsidiary of Raleigh International, the Derby Cycle Werke, might be up for sale. Now it seems that the same company – Gilde Investments - that bought Dutch Gazelle from Raleigh is about to take-over Derby Cycle Werke. Gilde Investment is an equity firm and belongs to one of the biggest banks in Holland, the Rabobank. Gilde Investment and Raleigh International are expected to close the deal end of May. Derby Cycle Werke is one of the biggest bike producers in Germany with a yearly output of about 380,000 bikes. A likely scenario is that Gilde Investment will form a holding company that, like the Accell Group, will be brought to the Amsterdam stock exchange. (JO)