Online Magazine: Supply chain grips the bicycle industry

Online Magazine: Supply chain grips the bicycle industry

Following the initial cancellation of orders and period of uncertainty at the beginning of the corona pandemic in 2020, it soon became clear that the pandemic was going to bring a completely new set of challenges to the bicycle industry. What followed was two years of supply chain woes in a booming market.

Highlights in this latest online magazine (Issue 22 | September 2022) include:

  • Huge differences in lead-times makes supply uncontrollable
  • Industry insiders reflect on supply chain issues
  • An e-bike with no battery?
  • Reshoring production in Europe gathers pace
In 2022, Shimano decided to join forces with logistic’s provider Kühne+Nagel. – Photo Shutterstock

Shimano supply problems ongoing since transfer to Kühne+Nagel

TESSENDERLO, Belgium - The delivery problems at Shimano Benelux have arisen since warehousing and distribution was outsourced to logistics service provider Kühne+Nagel in 2023. Although Shimano did not give any reasons for the delivery problem, sources indicate that the 'mismatch' between both IT systems is the main cause of the problems.

The members only trading platform for OEMs can be compared with eBay with multiple search and selection options. – Photo BEIC

OEM trading platform launched for e-bike and bicycle components

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The imbalance in the supply chain in combination with excess inventory made clear how untransparent the bicycle industry operates once again. For long-time Koga and Accell Netherlands manager Pieter Jan Rijpstra, this gave reason to launch an OEM trading platform for selling and buying excess inventory and missing components.

“Companies offer more products than we can resell at the moment. From a sellers’ market during the peak from 2020 - 2022 we are back to a buyers’ market,” says Maurice Blom of Blomson International. – Photo Bike Europe

Blomson warehouse clearing opens online marketplace

HAARLEM, the Netherlands - In times of excess stock or supply shortages, Blomson international has been in the market for many years to either provide the necessary floating capital or missing components. An online marketplace is now available for the industry to source those missing components to finish bicycle assembly.

“Our factory in Italy will be expanded in the next few years to be less dependent on outsourcing,” explains Wilier Triestina CEO Andrea Gastaldello. – Photo Wilier Triestina

Wilier Triestina to split sourcing between Asia and Europe

ROSSANO VENETO, Italy - To create a viable future for Wilier Triestina, the Italian family-owned business attracted new investments via Pamoja Capital SA in 2020. In an exclusive interview with Bike Europe, Wilier Triestina CEO Andrea Gastaldello elaborates on how this partnership worked out.