Fallbrook Technologies Creates New Bike Products Division

Fallbrook Technologies Inc. supplier of the NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmission has created a Bicycle Products Division devoted exclusively to Fallbrook’s largest and fastest-growing market segment. “This new structure reflects our strong commitment to serving the specific needs of the bike industry,” said William G. Klehm III, Fallbrook’s chairman and CEO.

Alan M. Nordin has been named as president of the Bicycle Products Division. He previously had served as Fallbrook’s vice president of sales and business development. At the same time, Robert A. Smithson has been appointed to the dual position of chief technology officer and vice president of sales and business development for all non-bike market segments, including automotive, outdoor power equipment and light electric vehicles. Smithson previously served as Fallbrook’s vice president of product development. In addition, David W. Markley has been promoted to the position of vice president of product development. Markley was formerly the director of engineering.

“The organization change reflects Fallbrook’s growth as a customer-facing manufacturing and sales organization as the global acceptance and market share of its NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology accelerates”, adds William G. Klehm III.

“Al Nordin’s overall experience and in-depth understanding of the business makes him the perfect choice to lead the Bike Products Division and get more people on NuVinci-equipped bikes. With Rob Smithson taking the lead in our other target markets, we’re well-positioned for rapid growth in all these areas moving forward. In his prior position, David Markley demonstrated his ability to lead successfully the engineering efforts supporting all of Fallbrook’s application areas.”

NuVinci technology is a universally adaptable continuously variable transmission for human- and motor-powered vehicles and machines. The NuVinci CVP uses a set of rotating and tilting balls positioned between the input and output components of a transmission. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio.

The NuVinci CVP can be used in virtually any transmission-based vehicle or device, including bicycles, cars, trucks and wind turbines. Fallbrook recently has been successful in the bicycle industry, with the NuVinci drivetrain now available on more than 40 bike models by more than 20 manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe.