Shimano Changes Distribution in Russia and Ukraine

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands – Shimano is establishing a joint sales company with its distributor in Russia. In line with that co-operation Shimano Eurasia will stop its activities by the end of November 2007.  Business operations will be taken over and continued by a company called Normark Russia starting from December 2007.

Shimano invests € 5 million in a share package in Normark Russia; the other part of the shares is owned by Rapala VMC. Rapala, with its headquarters in Helsinki, is a leading producer of fishing equipment which is sold through 29 subsidiaries, and the products are available in around 140 countries worldwide. In Europe Rapala is distributing Shimano fishing products in more than 12 countries.

In Russia Shimano as well as Rapala had their own sales company. The two companies are now taking their cooperation a step further in order to, says a Shimano press release: “Consolidate the forces and work for the joint market development and in order to increase the presence of both brands in the fast growing markets of Russia and the Ukraine.”

Normark Russia will distribute fishing products in Russia and the Ukraine, while the bicycle components and accessories are only distributed in the Russian territory.