Jo Beckendorff

GRANOLLERS, Spain - Just 25 km northeast of Barcelona in Granollers is the home of Casa Masferrer SA, a family business now run by the third generation. Today, the wholesaler, founded in 1934, is an importer, supplier, bicycle assembler and trader all in one. Brand distribution is focused on the Iberian Peninsula, so the supplier knows exactly the current state of the doomestic bicycle market. "It is a very competitive market with very competitive players," is the warning.

MALLABIA, Spain - How deeply bike manufacturer Orbea S. Coop. is rooted in its home country, visitors realise immediately on arrival: the first language is Basque - followed by English. During a visit to the company headquarters and production facility in Mallabia, Bike Europe found out what else sets this Basque bicycle manufacturer apart from its domestic and international competitors.

FRANKFURT, Germany - After a catastrophic 2022, many insiders were not looking ahead to 2023 with optimism. A year later it can be concluded that the global stock market performed better than expected. What role did the bicycle industry play in this development?

MADRID, Spain - In recent years, the supply bottlenecks triggered by coronavirus and the resulting call for close to market production have turned attentions to the relatively young EU production locations of Bulgaria, Portugal and Romania. But what about production in traditional bicycle countries within the EU? Bike Europe takes a closer look - specifically in Spain. Here there is a lot to be found, besides the big names like Orbea or BH Bikes.

SEOUL, South Korea - Scott Sports owner Youngone Corporation has granted its subsidiary a temporary financial injection of SFR 150 million (€160.6 million). The high inventory levels throughout the bicycle sector is tying up so much capital that even profitable companies like Scott Sports are in urgent need of capital to continue their daily operations.

COLOGNE, Germany - German bicycle dealer cooperative Zweirad-Einkaufs-Gemeinschaft (ZEG) has sold its subsidiary Eurorad Deutschland to Bencis Capital Partners Deutschland. The company is active in the market of bike leasing and e-bike rental. The amount of the investment of Bencis remains undisclosed.

MUTLANGEN, Germany - A difficult market situation including slow consumer spending made Advanced Sports GmbH decide on 1 April last year to apply for insolvency in self-administration. Shortly before Christmas, the European distributor of Breezer, Fuji and SE Bikes report that their insolvency plan had been accepted.

GEDERSDORF, Austria - Two-wheel mobility product supplier, KSR Group, has successfully developed a restructuring plan since applying for a chapter 11 status earlier this year. With this, 140 jobs have been retained, independent business decisions can be made again and there are even talks with potential investors, reports the company from Austria.

OBERNZELL, Germany - Cycling and sports gear manufacturer Uvex Group announced the closure of one of its European production locations in a strategic reorientation. The company will close its independent helmet production subsidiary, known as BSA, by the end of 2024. Approximately 190 jobs are affected by the closure.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Swedish cycling and sports equipment group WeSports Scandinavia AB has acquired a stake in compatriot Thevea Brands Group AB. The aim is to strengthen its distribution network across the Nordics market.