Booming Bike Market in Holland

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The Dutch bicycle industry is taking full advantage of this year's beautiful Spring weather and the increasing popularity of the bike.

Royal Dutch Gazelle sold 316,000 bikes in 2006; 12 % more than in 2005. In terms of euros, the Dutch bike maker performed even better. The company saw its turnover increase by 16% from € 128.1 million in 2005 to € 147.1 million in 2006. Operating result went up from € 10.7 million in 2005 to € 12.1 in 2006. “However, due to an ongoing restructuring and high amortization of goodwill (€ 6.9 million) we wrote red figures in 2005 as well as in 2006”, says Hans Walraven CFO of Royal Dutch Gazelle. “In 2005 the net loss totalled € 4.7 million; last year we managed to drive it back to € 3.9 million. The results of the first six month of this year are very promissing. We have been able to maintain the same growth in turn over as in 2006."

 At the presentation of the financial results over the first half of 2007, René Takens CEO of Accell Group said: “the Dutch bicycle brands Batavus, Koga and Sparta had an excellent first half year. By consciously keeping higher stock levels from the beginning of the year, we were able to respond effectively to the higher demand. Sales of electric bikes in particular were good. In addition, sales of parts and accessories also showed a strong increase, partly as a result of the expansion of the product range.” Overall Accell Group met ensuing increases in bicycle sales due to the good spring weather in Europe. It pushed Accell Groups turnover and profit. In the first half of 2007 the net profit increased by 52% to € 16.1 million compared with 2006. The turnover grew with 14% to € 275 million.

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) confirms the positive sales results as reported by Royal Dutch Gazelle and Accell Group. In 2006 the turnover over in bikes and mopeds in the retail improved with 15% compared to 2005. Including the parts and accessories the sales increased even by 17%, although the average prices went down slightly. This growth will even accelerate in the first quarter of 2007. The growing turn over is a result of the improving economic situation”, says Statistics Netherlands.

The Dutch overall production in 2006 went up with 8 percent to 967,000 units with a value of Euro 453 million. That is an increase of 9 percent compared with 2005. The export value increased with nearly 8% to Euro 289 million. The Dutch import from other European countries improved with 45% to Euro 85 million. Nearly two third of the import bikes came from Germany.

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