Shimano Chooses IFMA for 2000, Eurobike for 2001

NUNSPEET, Netherlands--On 22 December Shimano Europe and Paul Lange & Co, German distributor of the Japanese bicycle component supplier, clarified their position regarding the European trade show battle in Germany. "We concluded that we have to fix our show strategy for the coming two years right now," stated Frank Peiffer, marketing manager of Shimano Europe, and Bernhard Lange, general manager of German Shimano distributor Paul Lange, in their joint statement. "To reach our goal and to avoid more confusion with a possible third show in the future, we decided that in the year 2000 Shimano will only exhibit in the IFMA/Cologne and, if there are no major unforeseeable changes in the show scene, after this in the year 2001 we will be exhibiting in Eurobike/Friedrichshafen only." The announcement could represent a breakthrough in the chaotic European bike show calendar and inevitably lead to what everyone seems to want: "one German international show per year." "The decision was a logical one. We had no other choice," said Peiffer during a telephone interview with Bike Europe on 5 January. He also added that up to now no one has reacted to the announcement. (JB)