VIENNA, Austria - Children and youth bike manufacturer Woom has appointed Bernd Hake as CEO. He succeeds Paul Fattinger, who is leaving by mutual agreement after three years in charge. According to the company, the change in management is a further step in its development from a start-up to an established international brand.
DHAKA, Bangladesh - Known as a manufacturer of textiles, garments, lingerie and chemicals, Panam Group diversified into the production of bicycles a year ago. The company is keen to expand into newer sectors and found bicycle production and its exports a potential area thanks to the favourable duty structure for Bangladesh-based bicycle exporters to the European Union (EU).
BEVERWIJK, The Netherlands - Dutch e-bike and electric cargo bike manufacturer Optima Cycles has acquired compatriot Dolly Bikes, which focuses on the high-end e-cargobike segment. With this strategic acquisition, Optima Cycles, known for the brands Dutch ID and Lovens, aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing electric cargo bike market and create new growth opportunities.
UPPLANDS VÄSBY, Sweden - With the complete takeover of Swedish suspension specialist Öhlins Racing AB, Italian brake expert Brembo is making the largest acquisition in the company's history, according to its own statements. Öhlins had been part of US automotive supplier Tenneco Inc. since the end of 2018. Subject to the usual regulatory approvals, the takeover, which was announced on 11 October, is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2025.
ZEIST, The Netherlands - Dutch fatbike manufacturers are experiencing a drastic decline in demand following the uproar surrounding e-bikes with fat tyres in the country. Phatfour's sales in its home market are currently about 75% lower than last year. Local competitor, Urban Mobility, the company behind Doppio, recently filed for bankruptcy. Can export markets offer a saviour for Dutch fatbike bands?
ROMILLY-SUR-SEINE, France - Grégory Trébaol, founder of the Rebirth Group, has become the new owner of Cycleurope Industries SAS based in Romilly-sur-Seine, France after the Grimaldi Group decided to divest this unit. In this interview with Bike Europe, the executive explains why he wanted to acquire Cycleurope's factory in France. He also discusses the strategy and investments planned for the next two years.
GURUGRAM, India - E-bike and e-scooter manufacturer Hero Electric is entering a troubling phase as its dealers seek settlement of pending dues equivalent to around INR 5 billion (€270 million).
UTRECHT, The Netherlands - 80% of bicycle industry representatives in a recent survey stated that their companies are taking a strategic approach to climate action, with 35% having made considerable progress and are able to track their results. This is a key finding of the first edition of the Climate Action Pulse Check, a global survey that will function as an annual assessment of climate action progress within the cycling industry. However, consumers are less optimistic at the progress gained.
日本，大阪（OSAKA）－為保持公司在電動自行車馬達市場上的領先地位，Shimano將開始投入量產自家的人工智慧（AI）自動變速系統Q'Auto。他們在2023年Eurobike發表此概念，不久後將在市場推出搭載該系統的首批自行車。該公司執行長Yozo Shimano（島野 容三） 說明做出這個決定的原因。
法國，德龍河畔洛里奧爾（LORIOL-SUR-DROME）－Look Cycle Group宣布出售高階碳纖自行車輪組公司品牌Corima。Look Cycle在2016年成為Corima東家，兩間公司在2022年完全合併，不過他們已在今年9月30日再度分開。
德國，柏林（BERLIN）－自行車行業最新宣布破產的公司令人感到意外，至少對外界來說是如此。位於德國柏林的Onomotion發表的創新LEV車輛（一種介於電動兩輪車和汽車之間的混和式車輛），被視為先進的「最後一哩路」（last mile）車輛，前景良好，尤其在城市物流領域相當被看好。
比利時，布魯塞爾（BRUSSELS）－根據比利時運輸產業協會Traxio發布數據顯示，今年1至9月期間，該國註冊的二手高速電動輔助自行車（speed pedelecs，簡稱高速電輔車）數量較去年同期增加17.4%，較前年同期增加39.2%。不過，全新高速電輔車數量則出現反向趨勢，銷量較去年減少17.9%。
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Finalising the trade agreements currently under negotiation is one of the tasks of the next Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic. The agreements with Malaysia and Thailand will certainly be part of that commitment. The best-known company in the bicycle industry based in Thailand is Vittoria while Malaysia is the home of Shimano's supplier Kwang Li Industry.
DHAKA, Bangladesh - A growing number of suppliers of bicycles and various components to the European market have recently invested in production in Bangladesh. The country is already home to a few key global bicycle joint ventures. Now other Asian suppliers to Europe are also investing into production facilities considering low cost of production like low labor costs and duty exemptions for exports to Europe.
APELDOORN, the Netherlands - To step up Merida's presence, the Benelux distributor of the Taiwanese manufacturer has expanded into Denmark as the official importer for this country. This strategic move strengthens Merida's foothold in the Scandinavian region, furthering the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality bikes and cycling gear to a wider audience.
BERLIN, Germany - The latest insolvency in the bicycle industry comes as a surprise, at least to outsiders. With their innovative LEV vehicles - a hybrid between an e-two-wheeler and a car - the Berlin-based Onomotion is seen as a state of the art 'last mile' vehicle with a golden future, particularly in the urban logistics sector.
LORIOL-SUR-DROME, France - Look Cycle Group has announced the sale of the high-end carbon bicycle wheel specialist Corima. The two companies formed together in 2016 when Look Cycle became the owner of Corima. In 2022 the two companies fully merged but have now split up again effective 30 September 2024.
BARCELONA, Spain - The strategy to concentrate on 'Powered Two-Wheelers' by Pierer Mobility AG led to the announcement to part ways with its pure bicycle and e-bikes brands Felt Bicycles and R Raymon. The company wanted to focus on motorcycles and e-bikes including the brands Husqvarna and GasGas E-Bicycles. After the publication of this new strategy, it turned out that Felt Bicycles was still somehow part of Pierer Mobility. To shed some light on the situation, Bike Europe sat down with Felt Bicycles managing director Florian Burguet.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over the first nine months of 2024, registrations of second-hand speed pedelecs in Belgium increased by +17.4% compared to the same period in 2023, and by +39.3% compared to 2022, according to figures released by trade association Traxio. However, for new speed pedelecs a reverse trend is seen as sales dropped 17.9% compared to 2023.
BAD URACH, Germany - As German Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG announced back in spring 2024, it intends to significantly strengthen its innovative power as part of the future-oriented strategic restructuring of Magura parent company Magenwirth Technologies GmbH (MWT). In this context innovation- and development-oriented Ingo Beutner was hired as additional managing director to the Magura management board.
