DOETINCHEM, Netherlands (Octber 28) - In a letter adressed to the Belgian Profile shops, CEO Ron te Riele claims that Biretco is being boycotted and can't get exhibition space on next years' Expo Velo in Brussels. Reason being that 3 suppliers have seats in the governing board of the exhibition, and they are blocking Biretco's
TAIPEI, Taiwan (November 9) - Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh promoted Taiwan's investment environment at the 2004 Taiwan Business Alliance Forum, which began at the Taipei World Trade Centre yesterday. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ho noted that Taiwan is the 15th-largest economy in the world and it is estimated that its exports and
COLOGNE, Germany (September 28) -The market-dominating German dealers' organisation ZEG has briefed a Brussels-based legal firm to fight the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association' (EBMA) claim that bikes made in Vietnam are dumped on the European market. According to a ZEG official, ZEG dealers will be rallied to become involved in putting pressure on the European
FREDERIKSBERG, Danmark (September 8) - Frederiksberg local council is proceeding with plans to hit cyclists who park their bikes illegally with a parking fine. Local administrators claim that around 3,000 bicycles are parked illegally outside Frederiksberg Centre shopping mall every day, and they have now proposed that cyclists who ignore warning signs should have their
CANTON, US (September 23) — Bike lock maker Kryptonite is offering to exchange its tubular u-shaped locks for free, in response to a design flaw that allows thieves to open the locks with a ballpoint pen. The company said it would begin exchanging products within a few weeks, as new locks are made available. Kryptonite
OLDENBURG, Germany (August 24) - The deal is done: the Rabeneick Group, acquired bicycle wholesaler Epple Zweirad GmbH. The deal was officially backdated to 1 August. General managers of Epple Zweirad GmbH are now Severine Lönne and Werner Forster, general managers of the Rabeneick Group (alias Fachhandelszentrum Oldenburg). Longtime Epple general manager and industry veteran
LONDON, UK (June 8) - CVC Capital Partners Ltd sold shares at 260 pence (€ 3.89) each, valuing the company at GBP 593 million (€ 886 mn). The IPO that took place end of May, is made up of a primary offer of 53.9 million ordinary shares and a secondary offer of 48.7 million ordinary
HO CHI MIN CITY, Vietnam (June 2) - Vietnamese steel producers are heading for bad weather. Already five major steel companies have ceased production. This is on the one hand due to the dwindling home-demand (some 35-40% less in May '04 alone) and on the other the fact that in China the new economy-braking measures
Milan, Italy (June 4) - FSA has announced price hikes of 5 to 15% as of June 1st. This concerns the wholesale and aftermarket prices for International distributors and embraces the FSA and Vison Tech brands. Reasons are the higher costs of raw materials and transportation due to the steep oil prices. Again the voracious
AUCH, France (June 8) - Specialized has been corrected by a French court for 'terminating suddenly and abusively' its relation with Ets. José Alvarez. Both companies had been in business together for many years, but now the difference have lead to an abrupt end. In an adversary and appealable ruling, the French court has ruled
BRUSSELS, Belgium (July 14) - The EU has refused China a market economy status on the grounds of it having too much state interference and a too narrow corporate basis, according to a recent report in the Financial Times. For the current revision of the anti-dumping measures against China this may be considered good news.
LONDON, UK (April 28) - Attempts by Cumbria MP Eric Martlew to make helmets compulsory for young cyclists have suffered a major setback. The second reading of the Carlisle Labour MP's private member's bill was held April 23 but debate on it was stopped by a procedural device. Less than the required 40 MPs took
BEIJING, China (May 4) -The organisers of the Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics have reported 16,000 buyers attended the 2004 edition of the show an increase of 28% on the year before. More than 80% of the buyers were from mainland China, predominantly from Beijing and the surrounding area, sourcing 'anything and everything from fibres to
ROME, Italy (May 11) - Is this the last chapter in the never ending story around Italy's Giacomelli sports empire? The Italian police have arrested and placed under custody Emanuele Giacomelli, the former CEO of the bankrupt Giacomelli Sport Group and his father, Antonio. Some former executives share the same fate. Police are still looking
HO CHI MIN CITY, Vietnam (May 12) - Vietnam grossed US$90 million from exports of bicycles in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 80%. According to the local newspaper 'Vietnam Economic Times', the country earned US$154 million from bike export last year, an annual rise of 24%. The figure is
MAARSSEN, Netherlands (June 4) - When compiling the show calendar for 2005 it becomes obvious that some shows are again inconveniently overlapping. For people wanting to see Italian design in Milan, and also have a peek at the new style IFMA it will be a tight schedule. All the other shows are divided nicely across
FRANKFURT/M, Germany (May 11) - According to analysts Merck, Finck & Co. there are some serious pitfalls to consider for German MIFA if they go public. The firm's dependence on customers like Neckermann, Karstadt, Metro and Aldi makes them vulnerable, considering that these companies are involved in a 'intensive price-war'. This may be one of
KAMPALA, Uganda (March 4) - Twelve motorcyclists from Uganda start on their 6,000km long ride from Johannesburg back to Kampala. The ride is meant to raise awareness about the Aids scourge in Africa. Former South African President Nelson Mandela will flag off the bikers. The Uganda Bikers Association Chairman Bernard Runnebaum announced this yesterday. The
SHANGHAI, China (March 4) - Ever since the time of Marco Polo western merchants have salivated over China's huge potential market for goods to sell. But opium aside, many have found the road to the biggest of marketplaces littered with pitfalls. But arguably the biggest problem is non-payment. Delivering the goods is one thing; getting
NUNSPEET, Netherlands (February 26th) - Shimano has taken the plunge: their own offices in Russia. As of March 1st they will carry out sales, service and marketing from the Moscow offices for Russia and Belarus. Bike components and fishing tackle will be dealt with from this new office. As Russians are very keen fishermen this
