德國，漢堡（HAMBURG）－根據Container xChange調查顯示，82%的中國供應鏈業者預期2025年1月的貨櫃價格將上漲。該調查亦指出，供應鏈廠今年將面臨三大挑戰，分別是關稅、地緣政治風險和供需結構失衡。這些問題將造成2025年的供需狀態持續波動。

HARD, Austria - Business has not always gone smoothly at Austria's second largest bicycle manufacturer, Simplon Fahrrad GmbH. How big these problems were, became public when the shareholders replaced the management at the end of 2023. This year's industry-wide double-digit sales drop left a real skid mark on Simplon's revenue, forcing them to apply for a Chapter 11 status this week to support the ongoing restructuring process.

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.

SHANGHAI, China - E-bike drive system manufacturer, Ananda has opened a new factory in Vietnam to strengthen its worldwide manufacturing capabilities. Already up and running, the factory will meet the growing needs in the US and European markets. Additionally, the company is celebrating a successful listing on the Shanghai stock exchange.

TALLINN, Estonia - Tallinn appears to be a nucleus for e-mobility. The Kõu Group with Ampler and Comodule put Estonian expertise in this field on the map. Now Vok is taking things to the next level: the start-up wants to shake-up up the market with heavy-duty bikes. In any case, it has a unique selling point, with its self-developed serial all-wheel hybrid drive.

TALLINN, Estonia - Building an own mobile application has become easier for e-bike manufacturers with the launch of Comodule's next generation software development kit. The Estonia company expects that user-experience will soon emerge as the main differentiator. "Forward-thinking e-bike manufacturers are well-advised to partner with IoT providers that enable them to develop their own brand apps," writes Comodule.

MUTLANGEN, Germany - A difficult market situation including slow consumer spending made Advanced Sports GmbH decide on 1 April last year to apply for insolvency in self-administration. Shortly before Christmas, the European distributor of Breezer, Fuji and SE Bikes report that their insolvency plan had been accepted.

OBERNZELL, Germany - Cycling and sports gear manufacturer Uvex Group announced the closure of one of its European production locations in a strategic reorientation. The company will close its independent helmet production subsidiary, known as BSA, by the end of 2024. Approximately 190 jobs are affected by the closure.

DRESDEN, Germany - German e-commerce outlet Bike24 Holding has reported a 16% drop in total sales to €61.1 million in Q3, despite full bike sales seeing a 26% upturn due to an 'expanded brand portfolio'. In addition, the margin improvement initiatives continue to show positive development during the third quarter of 2023.

VIENNA, Austria - Despite the insolvency reorganisation of Gleam Technologies and the public call for investors by company founder Mario Eibl, the company has failed to avoid bankruptcy. According to an official statement published last Friday, the insolvency has been changed to bankruptcy proceedings.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Once again, high-precision transmission parts and components producer hGears AG, with its comparatively young e-mobility business unit, had its own booth at this year's Eurobike.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The second edition of the Eurobike Investors Lounge attracted some 70 participants, primarily private equity investors and family offices. The high level of attendance shows that investors still see the potential of the bicycle industry.

BERLIN, Germany - Bicycle, outdoor and team sports e-commerce vendor Signa Sports United reports a year-on-year 23.5% sales-drop down to €195 million in the second quarter of 2022/2023, which ended on March 31, 2023. The WiggleCRC, Bikester, Fahrrad.de and Probikeshop owner was still able to cope with the loss thanks to better results in the first sales quarter of fiscal year 2022/2023.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - According to precision gearbox manufacturer hGears AG, its first quarter 2023 results are in line with expectations. The strong performance of the premium, luxury and sports car segments was not able to compensate for the decline of the two other business segments e-mobility and e-tools - but at least cushioned it.

MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX, France - Alltricks, the omni-channel pure-player, has reported a turnover of €219 million in 2022. This represents a 30% increase compared to 2021. This figure includes the activity of Troc Vélo, the first specialised second-hand site that Alltricks acquired in March 2021. Last year, this company has recorded a 65% growth in active classifieds, generating a volume of transactions between individuals of €49 million.

GRENOBLE, France - The commercial court of Grenoble has put the sporting goods retailing giant Go Sport in receivership on 19th January after being notified of its state of cessation of payment. For retailer insiders these problems at Go Sport don't come as a surprise.

A hot topic in the bike industry currently is the quest for more sustainable bike components. The key to reaching real, long-term results, is to focus on the materials used to manufacture bike components, following-up with tangible targets leading to concrete impact.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - The October edition of Bike Europe magazine (issue 5/2022) is now available to read online in our digital magazine section. With a focus on production on Romania, a series of articles looks at how this former 'poorhouse' of Europe is becoming home to several prominent bicycle manufacturers.

DENKENDORF, Germany - At Eurobike gearbox specialists Pinion will launch the next generation e-bike drive gearbox together with introduction partner Stromer. In line with the current trend and as long time discussed in the industry, we expected that Pinion will present it first electronically shifting gearbox.

MUNICH, Germany - The first 'Made in Germany' pre-series parts production for Mocci's e-cargobike smart pedal vehicle (SPV) is underway. A pilot phase launch of the smart bikes is planned with selected B2B customers for fall 2022.