Jan-Willem van Schaik

DEBICA, Poland - The pandemic gave a major push to sales of Polish manufacturer Romet Group. For this year the company expects to increase sales by as much as 40% from PLN 322 million (€70 mln) to PLN 450 million (€98 mln). The net profit (EDITBA) is expected to amount to as much as PLN 45 million (€9.8 mln) this year.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The second year with the Covid-19 pandemic brings new challenges to Taiwan's bicycle industry. Last year was a rollercoaster with order cancellations in March followed by a sharp increase in order volume. In 2021, it is all about component shortages,

TORONTO, Canada - After a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, Peter Boutakis founded folding bike company Helix. The company expanded quickly and has recently opened its first production line for robotically TIG welded frames.

LELYSTAD, the Netherlands - Willem Buitenhuis has stepped down as general manager of Giant Benelux on 1 December to enjoy his retirement. He joined Giant in 2005 and a lot has changed in his time at the company since then.

KARLSTEIN AM MAIN, Germany - To improve its service level, BMZ will provide e-bike dealers an extended 24-month warranty on all e-bike products purchased from BMZ. These new conditions for its warranty services are effective from December 2021.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - European importers are rapidly anticipating on the booming e-bike market. The influx of e-bikes from Asian exporting countries, increased this year by no less than 26% between January and August compared with 2020. At the same time, the average FOB price increased by 11.5% emphasising

ÁGUEDA, Portugal - The position of Vice President of CONEBI, the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry, has been assumed by a well-known name in the industry: João Miranda.

ST-JEAN-DE-MOIRANS, France - Pierer Mobility Group is the new owner of the brand Felt. The acquisition is part of Pierer's strategy "to assume a leading global role in the bicycle sector" as the Austrian company announced. For Rossignol interim ownership of the American brand was just a way to gain bicycle competence.

ITTIGEN, Switzerland - Since 1999, vertical supply relationships between manufacturers, wholesalers (distributors) and retailers are governed by an EU Vertical Block Exemption Regulation ("VBER") defining which business practices are permitted under EU competition laws and which are not.

STUTTGART, Germany - The iconic automotive company Porsche stepped into the electric bicycle business with the take-over of e-bike manufacturer Greyp. Porsche Ventures already held 10% of the Croation company since 2018. Mate Rimac and the other Greyp founders will retain a minority share in the company.