Sturmey-Archer Winning Back Lost Ground

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (September 24) – The Sun Race Sturmey-Archer headquarters in Amsterdam report that sales have been extremely successful during the shows so far - Eurobike, IFMA and EICMA - and that ‘solid delivery deadlines can be met’. There is still a backlog with service parts, and one by one the OEM products from the existing model lines are coming back in a flawless production rhythm. Some products can even be ordered from (Amsterdam) stock. It seems that the third player on the hub gear market is warming up for a visible share in the market after its temporary chill out. As for prices, Europe sales director Alan Clarke says that ‘coming from zero, one has to use the price tool, but we’re coming back for honest business only. We want to sell on quality.’ Anyhow, Sun Race SA does not sell under cost price; Clarke: ’We cant permit ourselves to do so.’ Does he fear a dumping complaint by SRAM or another manufacturer? Clarke: ‘SRAM has a reputation for lawsuits, but I honestly do not see how they could contend that we are selling our hub gears in Europe at a lower price than in the home country, because we don’t sell any Sturmey-Archer hub gears in Taiwan at all.’ (OB)