Jan-Willem van Schaik

With SKion as an investor, BMZ expects to expand its positioning. – Photo BMZ

Private equity SKion acquires 20% of e-bike battery manufacturer BMZ...

KARLSTEIN, Germany - BMZ Group has found a strategic partner in investment company SKion. Besides capital, SKion will bring expertise and networks in order to shape strategic issues and significantly increase corporate values to the rapidly expanding e-bike battery manufacturer.

The investment will be implemented to support our ambition to be at the forefront of the mobility revolution,” explains Galin Bonev, co-founder and Co-CEO of Econic One. – Photos Econic One

Bulgarian Econic One completes multi million investment to support...

SOFIA, Bulgaria - Smart e-bike manufacturer Econic One, receives a € 6 million investment to anchor its next phase of growth. The investment round is funded by Integral Venture Partners, Bulgarian Development Bank, and incumbent shareholders.

Bafang Quality Center Director Wen Xinge (l.) and SGS East China Laboratory Manager Zhang Zhigang (r) at the certification award ceremony. – Photo Bafang

Bafang laboratory center certified for e-bike testing

SUZHOU, China - The in-house test facilities of e-mobility components and e-drive system supplier Bafang gained their laboratory qualification certification according to the North American UL 2849 e-bike standard.

Heather Bridges (l.) and Mike Herr. - Photo SRAM

Management change at SRAM

CHICAGO, USA - SRAMs current CFO, Mike Herr, has decided to retire after 28 years with the company. The company has named Heather Bridges their new CFO, who will take over later this year after a transitional period.

Pinion is the next in line take-over by an industry outsider. – Photo Pinion

Pinion acquired by Canadian Bombardier Recreational Products

DENKENDORF, Germany - Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is the new majority shareholder of Pinion, alongside the Pinion founders, managing directors and shareholders. "We are expanding our addressable market and entering untapped categories such as urban mobility and services beyond our existing powersports and marine products," said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP.

The good quality of the cycling infrastructure is often seen as a major reason for growing bicycle sales, also speed-pedelecs. – Photo Bike Europe

Brisk sales increase at speed-pedelec market in the Netherlands

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The first half of 2022 saw a brisk increase in speed-pedelec sales in the Netherlands. From January to June the number of registered speed-pedelec increased to 2,129 units, or 11% more than the same period in 2021. After that followed a completely different period.

In the years of John Macnaughtan’s career at Raleigh/Sturmey-Archer the international bicycle industry saw a big change. – Photo Bike Europe

Former Raleigh Exec John Macnaughtan publishes memoirs

NOTTINGHAM, UK - John Macnaughtan spent 48 years at Raleigh and Sturmey-Archer which put him in the center of the global bicycle industry until he retired in late 2012. In his recently published memoirs he gives a little inside in this fascinating area when the industry saw a decisive transformation.

The group’s Lion Tyres Thailand (LTT) that opens in the beginning of 2023 is currently under construction. – Photo Vittoria

Vittoria Group issues 5 million sustainability-linked bond

BREMBATE, Italy - To fund its investments in capacity and innovation in both Thailand and Italy, Vittoria owners WISE Equite and Vittoria's management entered an innovative financing operation. They issued a 5-million-euro bond with a duration of 6 years which is initially fully subscribed by UniCredit.

Porsche will also develop and produce e-bike drive systems under the Porsche brand name. - Photo Porsche

Porsche starts developing e-bike drive systems

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - To speed up their e-bike business, Porsche and Pon Holdings' investment vehicle Ponooc founded two joint ventures. "We see great potential for Porsche in e-bikes. This is why we are consistently expanding our activities in this area," says Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.

Amar Wheels, Hartex Rubber and Navyug Namdhari displayed in a joint boot at Eurobike 2022. – Photo Amar Wheels

Indian companies take cooperation to next level at Eurobike 2022

FRANKFURT, Germany - The three Indian companies Amar Wheels, Hartex Rubber and Navyug Namdhari presented themselves in a joint booth at Eurobike this year. Following their successful cooperation at Eurobike 2019, the three companies decides to step up their joint presence this year.