Jan-Willem van Schaik

PODGRODZIE, Poland - Based in the southeast of Poland, Romet has been in the bicycle industry for more than 75 years. Operating in a total of three factories spread out over the country, Romet holds a strong position in its home market, but is also one of the well-known players in the European OEM market. Romet president Wieslaw Grzyb is now preparing the company to take the next step on the export market, both for OEMs as well as the brand Romet.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - An increasing number of companies follow the China +1 approach for their sourcing strategy. To meet this demand from their customers, one of Taiwan's leading frame manufacturers is currently developing a new production facility in Vietnam with a capacity of 600,000 units. Above all, Sunrise aims to reduce their carbon footprint and raise their level of sustainable production.

WALDERSDORF, Germany - Cube Bikes plans to set up a facility in Egypt to produce plastic-reinforced carbon parts for export to its European factories as production inputs. The company has already scheduled a second visit to Egypt to secure a 40,000-square-meter plot in the 10th of Ramadan City, northeast of Cairo.

KOPRIVNICE, Czech Republic - The two buildings housing the offices, production and warehouse of Bike Fun International (BFI) are hidden behind the big entry gate of the Tatra truck factory in the Czech Republic. BFI is probably the only bicycle factory which is located in a former test facility for trucks. Founded by a group of Dutch investors in 2001, the company developed into a leading city bike manufacturer based in central Europe, without losing sight on the sports bike market.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - A setback has occurred for Cycling Industries Europe during the process of leadership change after the candidate to succeed Kevin Mayne as CEO of Cycling Industries Europe withdrew. The organisation was informed on short notice that he will not take up the post due to a family issue.

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Adaptable tyre pressure technology firm Gravaa has ap-pointed John Zopfi as its new chief commercial officer. With more than 20 years of experi-ence in outdoor and cycling industries, Zopfi took up the role earlier this month after spend-ing the past six years at 7mesh Industries where he most recently served as general manager for global wholesale.

ČVRČOVICE, Czech Republic - Darfon Electronics' announcement in December 2023 to open an e-bike assembly and battery production facility in the Czech Republic marked the official start of the OEM business for this electronics giant in Europe. In fact, it was set up to expand the company's e-bike operation in the Czech Republic as assembly has already been taking place for a while in Čvrcovice.

LEIPZIG, Germany - For Tex-Lock a bicycle lock is not just that standard heavy weight safety device in black that needs to be used by any cyclist to protect their bike. "I wanted to bring fashion and style into this product category but also improve the usability," says Tex-Lock CEO and co-founder Alexandra Baum. "Locks needed a soft feeling instead of bulky steel."

OFFENBACH, Germany - Rumours had been swirling recently that another Germany e-bike manufacturer was facing financial problems, and this was confirmed yesterday when Advanced Bikes GmbH officially filed for insolvency. This insolvency reflects the problems the European industry is currently facing.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The presentation of the manifesto for the EU term 2024-2029 by industry confederation CONEBI in Brussels last week, gave the cycling industry the opportunity to discuss the agenda with European institutions for the next five years. Hosted by EU member of parliament Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, the industry representatives and the EU Commission discussed plans and projects to come to reality.