TEKTRO Europe ramps-up service level with the opening of its own Service Centre

TEKTRO Europe ramps-up service level with the opening of its own Service Centre
Thomas Lattke, General Manager of TEKTRO.

TEKTRO and its premium brand TRP take an important step into the European market: next spring, in April 2022, the TEKTRO Europe Service Center opens near Frankfurt in Germany. It is primarily focused on supporting OEs, DIs and dealers. The setting up of this physical and digital service facility goes hand in hand with an expansion of the product portfolio.

TEKTRO Europe GmbH, part of TEKTRO Technology Corp, was established in September 2019. From this office, the Taiwan company will maintain all contact with its European partners, including OEs, DIs and dealers.

“We started with the focus on product, sales and marketing. That was the foundation. Behind the scenes, we worked step-by-step to develop a service department. The arrival of Armand Müller, our Head of Service, in April 2020 marked an important step in this direction. He now has three dedicated employees in his team. We are currently holding job interviews. That would mean that the team at the new TEKTRO Europe Service Center will soon consist of five people”, says Thomas Lattke, General Manager of TEKTRO Europe GmbH since 2019.

Reliable partner

With this step, TEKTRO Europe GmbH is transforming itself into the company it wants to be: a reliable, service-oriented partner of the entire industry.

“With our service center, we want above all to be a back-up for existing service partners. So, it is definitely not the case that we are taking over all the work of other partners and distributors. However, with the growing volume of bicycles equipped with TEKTRO and TRP technology, it is necessary to be directly available for dealer enquiries as well. The technology is also becoming more extensive and sophisticated”, says Lattke. “In addition, it is the express wish of the OE market, a relevant business field for us, that we have a service facility on hand.”

Full racks

The TEKTRO Europe Service Center in Hassloch near Mannheim, not far from Frankfurt, will open on April 1 next year. At that time, it will have sufficient service and spare parts on stock. “We want to be 100 per cent ready when we open and therefore also have full racks. TEKTRO in Taiwan supports us very well with this.”

In addition to a physical location, the TEKTRO Europe Service Center will start to build the digital support, in the form of e-learning. “The Covid-19 times have made it clear to us that we need to be more agile in terms of being present. We are therefore developing a video studio, where dealers can find information if there are problems. Armand can also start video sessions on interesting topics. For example: how to bleed a DH-R EVO?”

Optimize product lines

The opening of the TEKTRO Europe Service Center will be important for all the dealers. They can rely on a competent organization that knows all product details for their technical questions. The other way around, the TEKTRO Europe Service Center is also of interest to TEKTRO. Lattke: “Service is a very broad term. Many people quickly think of warranty cases. But good product development that fits the European market needs is also a form of service. We are close to the market and receive direct feedback,  which helps to optimize our product lines.”

Drivetrain technology

At last, the TEKTRO Europe Service Center is also important as TEKTRO expands its product portfolio. In early spring 2022 the company will introduce its next generations of drivetrain technology.

“We have been successful for a few years now with our e-bike brake solution product line: a specific brake technology, that includes thicker and larger rotors to improve the heat resistance. This has put us on the radar of many companies from other industries, such as the automotive sector. What it comes down to is that from now on we will be focusing on complete e-mobility solutions. Consider it a cross-over that makes us even more interesting for the automotive industry which is also working on Last Mile Solutions and alterative concepts."

"The next highlight will be the launch of a specific Tektro E-Bike specific drivetrain technology, together with Conway, beginning of next year. We learned allot from our TRP TR12 projects and we will introduce a first application with our complete ED drivetrain technology.”

This article is sponsored by Tektro.

From left to right: Andreas Bang, CEO of Cykelgear, Micheal Givskov, founder of Cykelpartner and Søren Rousing Djernæs-Andersen, CFO of Cykelgear. – Photo Cykelgear

Cykelgear expands Danish presence with Cykelpartner takeover

TERNDRUP, Denmark - As part of its continued growth investments, Danish online bike retailer Cykelgear, has merged with fellow Danish e-commerce business, Cykelpartner. Although the agreement unites the two online platforms under the same corporate group, both will continue to operate as independent brands in Denmark. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

The Bigolin Family, from left to right: Roberta Boratto, Giuseppe Bigolin, and Riccardo Bigolin. – Photo Selle Italia

Selle Italia expands business with take-over of Vittoria cycling shoes

ASOLO, Italy - Selle Italia has acquired Vittoria cycling shoes, which has been developing and manufacturing cycling shoes in Italy for almost fifty years, for an undisclosed amount. Giuseppe Bigolin, President of Selle Italia, "As we did in 2016 with Selle San Marco, we are gearing up to expand our range with a company that has always believed in technological development, in style and in the Made in Italy brand. Just like us."

Despite positive indicators in 2023, 2024 proved to be a year of more downhills as opposed to the much-needed stabilisation in the market. Will growth come again in 2025?, 2026?, 20...? -  Photo Shutterstock

2024: A year of false hope in the bicycle industry

ZEIST, The Netherlands - In late 2023, after a difficult year, industry insiders were looking hopefully towards the new year. However, predictions of inventory level recovery and stability in the market were pushed back at every contact moment during 2024; from Taipei Cycle at the beginning of the year, to Taichung Bike Week at the end. This 'hope' was abandoned in the second half of the year as insolvencies and closures began to dominate the headlines. As hopes now push forward to those that have 'survived to 2025', here, a perhaps unwelcome look back at 2024.

Since assuming the role of Chairperson in 2017, Bonnie Tu has driven the group's digital transformation and strategically established manufacturing facilities in Hungary and Vietnam. - Photo Giant

Giant Group appoints new management team as Bonnie Tu retires

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Giant Group will start 2025 with a new executive leadership team following the announcement that long-standing chairperson Bonnie Tu will officially retire. The Group's board of directors has approved the appointment of current CEO Young Liu as the new Chairman. The current chief branding officer Phoebe Liu has been promoted to CEO. These changes will take effect January 1, 2025.