Jo Beckendorff

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - For fiscal 2020, the country's largest bicycle manufacturer Giant Group reports a 10.3% year-on-year sales increase to TW$ 70.01 billion (€2.08 billion). At TW$ 4.95 billion (€147.29 million), profit after tax was even 46.7% higher than the previous year.

SANGERHAUSEN, Germany - While the agreement to acquire the insolvent bicycle manufacturer Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur GmbH had already been concluded in mid-February, the new owner Zweirad Union E-Mobility announced their vision of the factory's future for the first time yesterday.

HARD, Austria - Austria's second-largest bicycle producer Simplon Fahrrad GmbH has set the course for further growth: the company's parent Simplon Holding has acquired a neighbouring property to facilitate an "almost doubling of the existing production capacity". Due for completion by the end of the year, the new site will also house a large experience centre.

FÜRTH, Germany - The Daum-Group took back control over its well-known 'Moover' technology after the German e-step scooter maker Metz Mecatech GmbH applied for insolvency last August and was ultimately dissolved. The company Metz Mobility GmbH, which is part of the Daum-Group has reintroduced the 'Moover' e-step scooter and will also expand its product portfolio with a compact e-bike.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - With a brand relaunch, e-bike drivetrain maker Fazua GmbH is opening a new chapter to its newly launched 'Energy Bikes' umbrella. According to the German start-up, they want to set themselves apart from their competitors with the "natural support" offered by their Evation drivetrain system.

PONTEDERA, Italy - Italian two-wheeler supplier, Piaggio Group has joined forces with motorcycle and light electric vehicle (LEVs) giants Honda Motor Co, Yamaha Motor Co, and KTM, owned by Pierer Mobility and signed a letter of intent to set up a Swappable Batteries Consortium for motorcycles and LEVs. To enrich the expertise of the consortium, the founding quartet encourages all interested stakeholders to join the new cooperation.

FÜRTH, Germany - German Uvex Sports Group has acquired a majority stake in British Hiplok maker, Plus 8 Industries Limited. Uvex Sports Group will now add the Hiplok brand to its portfolio alongside its existing Alpina and Uvex brands, to "bundle competencies in the field of protective equipment and safety."

BOCHOLT, Germany - In the past weeks this trade journal reported about the enormous cost increases for the industry. It becomes unavoidable for bicycle and e-bike suppliers to add at least a part of those extra costs to their sales prices. Many direct sellers like international operating Rose Bikes

BERLIN, Germany - The e-bike market entrance of Brose came late, but not too late. As a well known and experienced supplier of electric motors for the automotive industry the company transformed their business to e-bikes as well. This March, the one millionth motor will leave the company's Berlin production facility.

MÜHLHAUSEN, Germany - Another German bike manufacturer has filed for insolvency and the search for investors is now in full swing. Despite gaining interest for its patent protected 'Cyfly' drivetrain, rising debts have sealed Möve Bikes fate. On February 5th, Marcello Di Stefano from Diligens Rechtsanwälte & Insolvenzverwalter GbR was appointed as provisional insolvency administrator.