SEEFELD, Germany - On December 1, 2015 TQ-Systems GmbH appointed Dr. Christian Becker - since 2014 responsible for the technical area at the company's e-mobility division Cleanmobile - officially to managing director of this division. He succeeded Angelika van der Straaten.
LONDON, UK - The rather remarkable (to say the least!) statement that the construction of bicycle lanes is, "doing more damage to London than almost anything since the Blitz," was recently expressed in a debate in British parliament.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Will Eurobike 2016 include MY 2018 product previews for OEMs on Monday and Tuesday before the show starts? Strong indications are there that this is to happen as the timing of Taichung Bike Week 2016 is close to that of Eurobike.
DOETINCHEM, The Netherlands - Next to the new Triangles factory for making aluminium e-bike frames in Portugal there is a second frame facility in the making close the Europe's main markets. The plans for that facility are now being developed.
MÖSSINGEN, Germany - On November 1 electric cargobike supplier Gobax restarted after they filed for insolvency last July. The company's restart as Gobax Bikes GmbH & Co. KG is made possible by a new investor named Christoph Ziegler who is CEO of a company offering a range of (electric) bicycle parking facilities.
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.
