Jo Beckendorff

MORGAN HILLS, USA - Effective May 1, Specialized founder Mike Sinyard hired Armin Landgraf as Chief of Worldwide Markets. This follows Sinyard's appointment of industry newcomer Scott Maguire to succeed him as CEO and his own repositioning as Chief Rider Advocate in March.

OSNABRÜCK, Germany - One of Europe's largest automotive parts distributors WM-SE has entered the e-bike market with the acquisition of Fischer Bike owner MTS Group. For a non-disclosed price, transport and logistics service provider DB Schenker Deutschland AG sold its successful subsidiary after an failed attempt to disinvest in 2018.

VIENNA, Austria - Along with other European nations, bicycle and e-bike sales in Austria last year were also harmed by serious supply bottlenecks. The demand outstripped supply. Nevertheless, champagne corks popped when the domestic bicycle industry was able to break through the magic €1 billion value sales barrier for the first time in 2021.

MUNICH, Germany - German e-mobility company Rebike Mobility GmbH is making the next step forward to develop its cross-brand platforms for premium used e-bikes, subscription models and e-bike rental at popular holiday destinations.

ÁGUEDA, Portugal - EU-funded close-to-market bicycle production in Portugal is continuing to gain momentum. According to the national bicycle industry association ABIMOTA, the sales value in the first two months of this year increased year-on-year by almost 50% to nearly €110 million.

WARWICK, England - Indian two-wheeler and utility vehicle manufacturer TVS Motor Company Limited has acquired a majority stake in the British e-bike supplier EBCO Ltd. The £1.16 million (€1.39 million) deal also has a direct impact on German Iko Sportartikel Handels GmbH and its Corratec bicyle and e-bike brand.

NUREMBERG, Germany - Tao Wang holds the dual role of managing director of SFM Bikes GmbH and CEO of Zweirad Union eMobility GmbH, which took over German bicycle manufacturer Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur last year. Bike Europe spoke to her to find out about the new production synergies.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - In line with the company's strategic goal of expanding its business activities and increasing market share, hGears reports for its e-mobility business area a 2021 sales growth of 3.5% to €47.5 million. For the full year 2022, hGears expects high single-digit group revenue growth.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Due to a further increase in bicycle and e-bike demand in particular, Taiwan's leading bicycle producer Giant Group topped its 2020 sales and profit record once again in 2021. This is despite higher costs and increasing uncertainties harming profit in Q4.

BERLIN, Germany - With EIT InnoEnergy SE, a new strategic investor and partner has joined Swobbee GmbH, the multi-vendor, multi-modal battery swapping station for all types of small electric vehicles. While EIT is putting €3 million of growth capital into the start-up, the current existing investor is also adding around the same amount on top.