Jo Beckendorff

BONN, Germany - Germany's national competition authority (Bundeskartellamt) announces that it has imposed an over ten million euro fine on the Cologne-based dealer cooperative Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG (ZEG).

MORGAN HILL, USA - Specialized Bicycle Components announced a voluntary recall of specific 'Roubaix', 'Ruby', 'Diverge' and 'Sirrus' road models. They are specified with the brand's own innovative front damping system 'Future Shock'.

BERLIN, Germany - Signa Sports United expands its reach to Asia. One of Europe's leading online sports, outdoor and bicycle platforms enters into a strategic partnership with Aeon Co. from Japan and Central Group from Thailand. According to Signa, both are "Asia's largest retailers".

BERLIN, Germany - German ACI Systems Germany GmbH (ACISA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bolivian state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB). It provides this subsidiary of the ACI Group direct access to lithium material.

E-bike rear hub motor pioneer BionX Canada Inc. was forced to file for bankruptcy on 27 February this year. At that time its European subsidiaries BionX GmbH and Elby Bike Europe GmbH were not affected. Since then, BionX GmbH has been searching for a European motor producer. Without success. 10 December 2018.

RENO, USA -Yesterday, Interbike organizer Emerald Exposures announced the cancellation of the 2019 edition of America's leading bicycle show. "The past four years have been difficult for the U.S. bicycle market," says Darrell Denny, Executive Vice President of Emerald Expositions' Sports Group.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Kindshock recently acquired a plot in Tainan, Taiwan where the company will start building its new Headquarters as well as a bigger than ever before factory. This fits with the growth ambitions of the company, which are also rumored to extend into the production of carbon components.

Astro Engineering Co. Ltd. is increasing its aluminum and carbon frame production capacity rapidly in Vietnam. Last June, the Taiwanese company opened its first carbon frame factory in Vietnam. According to Astro's Vice President Camille Hung,

PHILADELPHIA, USA - Last week Advanced Sports Enterprises (ASE) CEO Pat J. Cunnane informed his customers in a letter that "The company has taken action to restructure and better position itself for future success by filing voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code".

STUTTGART, Germany - Mahle GmbH is the next automotive supplier entering the e-bike market with the acquisition of Spanish Ebikemotion Technologies S.L. With this e-bike drive system, HMI and connectivity expert, Mahle strengthens its activities "on the market of electrically powered bicycles".