Jo Beckendorff

MUNICH, Germany - The events of 2022 had a huge impact on financial markets; it was a disastrous stock market year. The pandemic was barely halfway over when Vladimir Putin launched his crucial attack on Ukraine. The war disrupted the global energy and food markets but also led to high inflation in Europe. How are the listed e-bike and bicycle industries affected?

FRANKFURT, Germany - Private equity company Brockhaus Technologies acquired a majority stake of around 60% in Bikeleasing in July 2021. The German company which supplies business bikes for employers, employees and those self-employed has now helped its new owner set sales records in the first three quarters of 2022.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - With the opening of a new two-wheeler factory in Indonesia, Italian two-wheeler giant Piaggio & C. S.p.A. is strategically continuing its international expansion course in Southeast Asia "in a market of growing importance".

WELS, Austria - Pierer Mobility AG expanded its motorcycle activities last September when its subsidiary KTM AG took over MV Agusta Motor SpA's exclusive motorcycle distribution in North America. The cooperation between the two European motorcycle and e-bike suppliers is being strategically intensified again, with KTM AG also taking a 25.1% stake in MV Agusta.

ZWICKAU, Germany - Hong Kong-based electronic components giant Johnson Electric Holdings Limited is taking over an 80% majority stake in German drive system manufacturer, Pendix GmbH. Together, they will develop a new integrated mid-motor for bicycle manufacturers that will be launched in 2025.

DEVA, Romania - Cerurim srl is a Romanian component manufacturer located on the site of bicycle assembler Eurosport DHS. According to Eurosport DHS co-founder Xi Yang, the unnamed Chinese investors behind this alloy rim and wheel producer once made a visit to DHS - "and liked what they saw here."

MALLABIA, Spain - In 2016, the cooperatively organised bicycle manufacturer Orbea S. Coop. ushered in a growth phase, with the number of employees expanding to around 1,000 worldwide. In these past six years, the brand has made its name not only in Spain and Europe, but globally. Now the Basque cooperative is entering another phase that requires a reorganisation of the business areas.

DEVA, Romania - In order to cope with the current supply bottlenecks, including the escalating transport costs, Romanian bicycle assembler Eurosport DHS is now planning to attract further component suppliers due to its European close-to-the-market production. With all eyes on the still growing e-bike assembly sector, a battery and a drivetrain supplier from China could soon follow the call.

VILLORBA, Italy - Road bike brand Cicli Pinarello s.r.l. reported double digits increase in both turn-over and gross operating margin during its fiscal year 2021/2022 which closed 30 June. While others in the bicycle industry are struggling with the uncertainties in today economic situation, Pinarello announced it will accelerate its investment plan launched at the end of 2021.

TIMISOARA, Romania - The Romanian Decathlon bicycle manufacturer Sport Mechanical Workshop SRL (SMW) has achieved what many European bicycle producers dream of. Mach1 Wheel Components SRL, started an in-house rim production.