MORGAN HILL, USA - Is this how road bikes will look like in a couple of years now discussions have started with the UCI on changing the 3:1 rule that limits the aerodynamics of road bikes?
BERN, Switzerland - Next December 2 - 3 in Hong Kong the World Federation Sporting Goods Industry's (WFSGI) Manufacturers Forum 2015 will not only focus on the more technically orientated topics, but also on Corporate Responsibility in its many aspects.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - No less than six companies and organizations of the bike industry were welcomed last month as new members of the Cycling Industry Club. It shows that a growing number of people recognizes the Cycling Industry Club's mantra of getting more people on bikes more often.
VERONA, Italy - The CosmoBike show premieres this weekend with more than 500 exhibitors from Italy, the Netherlands, United States, Germany, England, Australia and China. "We want to bring back international business to Italy's industry show," says VeronaFiere president Ettore Riello.
LAS VEGAS, USA - Interbike announced several new initiatives planned for OutDoor Demo, including the return of several brands and new events. Well-known brands such as Cannondale, GT, Santa Cruz and Oakley will return to the 2015 edition of the event. "This makes it one of the strongest for OutDoor Demo's to date," says Interbike's Vice President Pat Hus.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - TI Cycles from India, a subsidiary of the Murugappa Group, announced at last week's Eurobike that it has inked a licensing deal with Belgian Ridley Bikes. The deal presents brand Licensing rights for Ridley for India and the South East Asian countries of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmarfor a period of 33 years.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - Poland's biggest bike maker Kross focuses on international expansion for which its developed a special MTB and a new brand. At Eurobike the company presented its Moon MTB as well as an all new brand targeting the stylish urban market called 'Le Grand'.
PAAL-BERINGEN, Belgium - Bike Trading NV, owned by fellow countryman Filip Carpentier, acquired all assets of the Belgian bicycle manufacturer Minerva NV which was declared bankrupt on June 25, 2015. The takeover includes the brand names Minerva, Scoppio, Pure Passion, Pure Comfort and Columbus. The company name of Bike Trading will be changed into Minerva BT NV.
AGUEDA, Portugal - Major Portuguese component makers Rodi, Miranda, and Ciclo-Fapril announce they will invest € 12 million in aluminium frame production in Agueda, Portugal. Construction of the facility is to start this September.
GAND, Belgium - For the second time, the European Association for battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles AVERE LEV-TF will participate at Eurobike. In a joined booth AVERE LEV-TF and Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) are presenting themselves on the first floor of the West Entrance, FW-OG103.
AGUEDA, Portugal - At the Taipei Cycle Show last March initiatives for creating supply chain flexibility for the bike industry in Europe came to light in Taipei. Two (aluminium) frame and other component production centers were discussed; Bike Valley Romania and Bike Valley Portugal. As it stands now Bike Valley Portugal is becoming reality.
LAS VEGAS, USA - "I get frustrated when I hear people say that they can see everything online, or that there's not anything new to see at Interbike by the time the show arrives," says Pat Hus, Vice President of Interbike. "I am going to assume that many of these naysayers haven't been to the show in many years."
SHENZHEN, China - The intelligent bicycle riding device manufacturer Livall has raised a combined fund of € 11.7 million in an opening round of a capital raising campaign. Venture capital firm ChinaEquity Group led the financing in the one year old start-up, headquartered in Shenzen.
WESTPORT, USA - Vista Qutdoor Inc. acquired Camelbak Products LLC from private equity firm Compass Diversified Holdings (Codi). The sale price for Camelbak will be based on a total enterprise value of 371.7 million euro. The divestiture is expected to close within the next month.
ALMERE, Netherlands - Last Friday Gazelle, Derby, BBB and Cervélo owner Pon Holdings announced to have acquired Santa Cruz Bicycles, the California-based high-end MTB maker. This take-over comes only a few months after Pon bought BBB Cycling; a major worldwide operating P&A importer and distributor.
MÜNSTER, Germany - The 2014 riots in Vietnam heavily affecting Tubus' long term production partner Bor Yueh revealed the weakness of depending on a single manufacturing location. Therefore Tubus expands its production base by cooperating with Standwell. The bike carrier specialist is also planning production in Europe.
GREENSBORO, USA - Cycling wear giant VF Corporation, known by brands like Eastpak, JanSport and The North Face, is exploring potential apparel and footwear uses for an innovative new technology that adds high performance finishes to fabrics.
LAS VEGAS, USA - EU@Interbike is the name of the new turnkey booth section on the show floor to highlight European brands seeking to enter the US market.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - Four service providers for the bike sector in Germany have started a consortium named Bidex which is aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of dealer-shops against e-commerce and the continued growth of webshops. Eurobike organizer Messe Friedrichshafen is one of the founders.
DOETINCHEM, the Netherlands - Bike Europe's regular Thursday newsletter will not be distributed among our close to 15,000 subscribers on May 14. This is due to a national holiday in the Netherlands.
