Jo Beckendorff

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - Merida Industry Co. Ltd. Has enlarged its majority ownership in its German distributor Merida & Centurion Germany GmbH (MCG), which is managed and owned by German industry veteran Wolfgang Renner.

WELS, Austria - According to Pierer Mobility AG volatile and difficult economic conditions led to a negative first half 2024 result. The company also harmed itself with some short-term strategy changes after entering the bicycle and e-bike business. Now they have to pay the bill. In other words: drastic measures are being taken.

MÜHLHAUSEN, Germany - At this year's Eurobike, Karlheinz 'Kalle' Nicolai celebrated a premiere with his first own e-drivetrain brand. With the Helius-Drive Systems brand under the umbrella of his company Universal Transmissions GmbH (UT), the two-wheeler visionary is once again thinking outside the box.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Despite a double-digit revenue drop Taiwan's third-largest bicycle manufacturer Ideal Bike Corporation is continuing to work on getting a grip on the losses incurred in the past. A look at the 2024 second quarter and first half-year figures indicate a successful restructuring of the financial setbacks.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - When presenting its 2024 half-year figures, the high-precision gearbox parts and components manufacturer hGears AG took a cautious view of the financial year. Looking further ahead, the stock-listed company sees strong growth again in the medium term 'particularly in the e-bike and e-mobility business areas'.

GIVISIEZ, Switzerland - After Scott Sports Group majority owner Youngone Corporation dismissed longstanding CEO Beat Zaugg with immediate effect at the end of March they appointed investment banker Juwon Kim as his successor. This was the starting point for a power struggle between longtime industry expert Zaugg and Youngone. Now the dust seems to have settled with the appointment of a CEO duo.

DRESDEN, Germany - German online retailer Bike24 reports an increase its sales, but also its profitability and financial position in the second quarter this year. The stock listed company is looking positively into the future again despite persistent overcapacity in some areas and weak consumer sentiment.

DULUTH, USA - Fox Factory business division Specialty Sports Group (SSG), which includes bikes, was able to report a double-digit sales increase in the first half of 2024. Though this was mainly rooted in the acquisition of Marucci Sports, as bike sales dropped by $22.9 million (€21 million).

FRANKFURT, Germany - Apprenticeship years are not master years - Taiwan's electronics giant Darfon Electronics Corp. also learnt this when entering the European e-bike market. The first few years were difficult. Here and there adjustments by the quickly learning stock-listed company had to be made. This led to things significantly progressing in the last three years. Find out how here.

MUNICH, Germany - Due to dropping e-bike sales, German torque sensor maker NCTE AG had to swallow hard in the first half of 2024. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. A whopping incoming order increase is keeping the stock-listed company optimistic about the future.