NIEUW VENNEP, the Netherlands - Investment company, Korys, of the Belgian Colruyt family has taken a minority share in the Dutch bicycle builder, Santos. The investment should help Santos in its international expansion. Founder Robbert Rutgrink remains CEO of Santos, and Robert Vaneman remains financial director.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The company name D'Ieteren is not unknown in the bicycle industry. The multi-billion euro, stock-listed Belgium car importer representing brands including VW, Audi and Yamaha is eyeing the expanding bicycle market...and this is not for the first time.
On Thursday 2 September, LEVA-EU organizes an information meeting on hot topics on the agenda. These include the review of technical legislation for e-bikes and all other LEVs, the standardization for e-bikes, e-cargobikes and personal transporters, the EU proposal for a new battery regulation and COP26.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - "The recent proposal of European Commission for a new EU Machinery Legislation creates uncertainty in the bicycle industry," states the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). The European Commission proposes to exclude all 'vehicles which have as their only objective the transport of goods or persons' from the scope of the new legislation.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - LEVA-EU sees the exclusion of all vehicles for the transport of goods and persons from the new Machinery Directive as proposed by the European Commission as a step towards specific technical legislation for light electric vehicles.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Empty warehouses and low inventory limited bicycle and e-bike sales volumes in Belgium last year. According to the national industry organisation Traxio there was great interest in cycling last year but the market increase was only 4% as there were insufficient products available.
LEUVEN, Belgium— REIN4CED, the Belgian manufacturer of advanced composite bicycle frames, has successfully closed a series B capital increase of €7 million led by Capricorn Partners. This new capital injection will support the company's ambitious growth trajectory "to become the leading supplier of lightweight, strong and durable materials to the bicycle, automotive and aerospace market".
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Growing demand for components in Europe to ensure sufficient e-bikes and bicycles in the shops urges components manufacturers in Asia to increase capacity. Industry insiders have already warned that product availability in 2021 will bring a bigger challenge than in 2020.
MECHELEN, Belgium - Shimano Belgium and Lazer Sport are relocating to a brand new office in Mechelen, Belgium as per 1 July 2021, Shimano Europe has announced. "Better facilities to meet the future growth ambitions of both companies" is what has instigated the move.
GENT, Belgium - The take-over by supermarket owner Colruyt in 2019 saved the future of the Belgium bicycle retail chain Fiets!. A year earlier Fiets! already filed for chapter 11 and that was not without reason. According to a publication in Belgium newspaper De Tijd, Colruyt had to invest another €10 million in Fiets! to make it future proof.
