HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The merger of two factories into one as Accell Group announced last Tuesday, has to result in a more efficient and sustainable production. However, an Accell Group spokesperson confirmed to Bike Europe that an investment plan for this modernisation has not been made yet. "We are currently analysing all options."
GRANOLLERS, Spain - Just 25 km northeast of Barcelona in Granollers is the home of Casa Masferrer SA, a family business now run by the third generation. Today, the wholesaler, founded in 1934, is an importer, supplier, bicycle assembler and trader all in one. Brand distribution is focused on the Iberian Peninsula, so the supplier knows exactly the current state of the doomestic bicycle market. "It is a very competitive market with very competitive players," is the warning.
LEUVEN, Belgium - High-quality, low weight bicycles with a high performance are high on the wish-list of many cyclists. Carbon material ticks most boxes on this list, except that carbon frames show brittle fractures and are vulnerable to direct impact. To address the weak impact resistance of carbon, Rein4ced has introduced a hybrid material and innovated the production method.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - The opening of Taipei Cycle Show 2024 is approaching quickly. The current condition of the market continues to be a source of concern for parts and component manufacturers. Is the industry ready again to look into the future with confidence and open for new business? The Taipei Cycle d&i Awards 2024 will kick-off the event showcasing the latest innovations.
荷蘭，海倫芬（HEERENVEEN）－Accell Group昨日宣其計畫調整生產架構，以「簡化營運並提升效率」，因此該集團將合併位於海倫芬的Batavus和Koga品牌工廠，並將部分生產移至Accell其它歐洲廠進行，預計裁減150個職位。
台灣，彰化－台灣第二大自行車集團Merida Industry Inc.上週發佈的2023年初步財報顯現出目前全球市場的發展情況，雖然該集團並未公佈具體數字，但2023年營收也清楚反映出市場趨勢。
台灣，台中－台灣自行車龍頭Giant去年也難熬，不過看起來他們有設法穩住銷售下滑幅度。
英國，雷迪奇（REDDITCH）－Halfords Q3銷售較前年同期減少5.1%，更令人擔憂的是，該英國自行車零售商報出銷量較疫前水平減少28%。
SponsoredThe theft statistics are clear. Over the past two years, reports of stolen bikes have increased by 65%. As a result of the increasing theft statistics and high claims, insurers have tightened their conditions for 2024 considerably. This includes the requirement of a second lock for e-bikes, implementation of deductibles, and the requirement to install a certified GPS tracker on more expensive e-bikes.
HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - Accell Group has announced today that it plans to adjust its production structure to "simplify operations and enhance efficiency". To do this Accell will merge its two facilities in Heerenveen, The Netherlands and relocate some of the current production to Accell's other European manufacturing facilities. Up to 150 job losses are expected.
WELS, Austria - Pierer Mobility Group warns for more consolidations and job losses in its bicycle and e-bike division in the year ahead in its preliminary financial figures for 2023. The company did report a 9% increase in consolidated sales to a new record of almost €2.7 billion in 2023, but that increase was fully attributed to its motorcycle business.
MALLABIA, Spain - How deeply bike manufacturer Orbea S. Coop. is rooted in its home country, visitors realise immediately on arrival: the first language is Basque - followed by English. During a visit to the company headquarters and production facility in Mallabia, Bike Europe found out what else sets this Basque bicycle manufacturer apart from its domestic and international competitors.
FRANKFURT, Germany - After a catastrophic 2022, many insiders were not looking ahead to 2023 with optimism. A year later it can be concluded that the global stock market performed better than expected. What role did the bicycle industry play in this development?
CHANGHUA, Taiwan - The preliminary 2023 results of Taiwan's second largest bicycle manufacturer Merida Industry Inc. published this week represent the current developments on the global market. Unfortunately, no unit figures were published, but the 2023 revenue development clearly marks the market trend.
REDDITCH, England - Halfords has reported a 5.1% dip in its Q3 cycling sales compared to the same period last year. More concerning is that the UK bicycle retailer has reported the cycling market volumes are down 28% from pre-pandemic levels.
MADRID, Spain - In recent years, the supply bottlenecks triggered by coronavirus and the resulting call for close to market production have turned attentions to the relatively young EU production locations of Bulgaria, Portugal and Romania. But what about production in traditional bicycle countries within the EU? Bike Europe takes a closer look - specifically in Spain. Here there is a lot to be found, besides the big names like Orbea or BH Bikes.
KORTRIJK, Belgium - Full halls, wide smiles, and positive energy… the mood at Velofollies in late January was in stark contrast to many of the reports recently published on Bike Europe. The annual event for the Benelux market with sold out exhibition space, new product releases and notable optimism seemed to disguise the many uncertainties in the current market. However, "2024 will not be a year for taking risks," one exhibitor confirmed.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The annual bike show for the Nordic market which takes place in Copenhagen is going to increase the emphasis on more B2B engagement. The organiser has introduced a series of services to trade visitors expanding on the success of 2023, where the Copenhagen Bike Show attracted over 10,000 visitors.
