Taichung Bike Week Attracts Over 120 Parts Makers

TAICHUNG, Taiwan –Taichung Bike Week (TBW) continues to develop into an indispensible gathering for product managers, away from the hassle of trade shows and perfectly timed (for Europeans at least). According to Steve Fenton, one of the unpaid volunteer organizers, about 1,500 hotel rooms were booked for the duration of Bike Week this year. It is difficult to pin down how many visitors actually attended this OE specing get-together, but estimates were between 400 to 600.

Despite efforts to bring the Ride-On event to the city hotels where the other events take place, it remained at the Freshfields resort again this year, running December 1-6. Getting to Ride-On entailed a 30-minute shuttle bus ride from the main hotels.

The majority of parts makers were stationed in the Evergreen, Tempus and Splendor hotels, clustered within walking distance of each other. Even so, most expressed the view that it would be better to bring everyone together in one venue. “We need to bring everything together in one place and with the same timing,” said Wellgo’s Lynn Lai, “people get tired with all the moving around.” Satori’s Larry Hsu was more than satisfied with the event as it is: “Her you can have quiet meetings and get business done – it’s a good location, good timing, plus the weather is good.”

Many more US product managers were in evidence this year, despite most having completed their spec by Thanksgiving in November. “They want to keep us working and make sure we’re on track with products under development,” explained one parts maker. Most of the products discussed at TBW will emerge as samples in time for the Taipei Show in March.

At a dinner on December 6 welcoming participants in Taichung Bike Week 2010 and sponsored by Messe Munich/Bike Expo, Taichung Mayor Jason Hu said that the event had grown from 60 parts makers in 2008 to over 120 this year – and that he expected even more growth next year. A strong supporter of TBW, Hu was narrowly re-elected last month, with the added responsibility for Taichung county as well as the city. Ying Ming-Yang, TBEA chairman, expressed his hope that the Mayor could achieve his aim of completing the planned convention center within his four-year term.

For next year, another floor of the Evergreen hotel (the basement level where this year’s dinner was held, will be opened to make space for another 50 exhibitors, according to Bike Week organizer Katerina Rejchrtova of WTB.