Accell Acquires SBS

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands (Feb 9) - Accell Group N.V. announces that it has signed a letter of intent to purchase Seattle Bike Supply (SBS). SBS is the number 5 distributor in the US, and has an annual turnover of around US$ 36 million. It is active in the middle and higher segments of the market for sports bicycles, parts and accesoiries. The company supplies the majority of specialist stores in the US and Canada. With it’s BMX brand ‘Redline’ it is the world market leader in this segment, which is key in the North American and Australian markets. Reasons for the purchase are, amongst others, the synergy between the existing European part of the Accell Group and the US market. SBS creates easier access to the EU market for it’s product, while Accell gains the same in the US. Brands like Batavus, Hercules, Koga Miyata, Lapierre, Loekie, Mercier, Sparta, Staiger, and Winora, plus fitness brand Tunturi now can have a distribution network in the US. SBS serves some 3600 retailer in the US and Canada. Accell Group is the European market leader for bicycles, with an annual turnover of € 341 million (US$408 million) - and it will finance the SBS acquisition from its own resources.