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John Zopfi (r.) the new chief commercial officer at Gravaa and CEO Gertjan van Ginderen (l.). – Photo Gravaa

Gravaa appoints new chief commercial officer

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Adaptable tyre pressure technology firm Gravaa has ap-pointed John Zopfi as its new chief commercial officer. With more than 20 years of experi-ence in outdoor and cycling industries, Zopfi took up the role earlier this month after spend-ing the past six years at 7mesh Industries where he most recently served as general manager for global wholesale.

“I wanted to bring fashion and style into this product category,” says Tex-Lock CEO and co-founder Alexandra Baum. – Photo Bike Europe

'Locks should be more than just a safety feature'

LEIPZIG, Germany - For Tex-Lock a bicycle lock is not just that standard heavy weight safety device in black that needs to be used by any cyclist to protect their bike. "I wanted to bring fashion and style into this product category but also improve the usability," says Tex-Lock CEO and co-founder Alexandra Baum. "Locks needed a soft feeling instead of bulky steel."

The current market situation in combination with full warehouses stood as the basis for the financial problems at Advanced Bike. – Photo Advanced Bikes

Advanced Bikes files for insolvency proceedings

OFFENBACH, Germany - Rumours had been swirling recently that another Germany e-bike manufacturer was facing financial problems, and this was confirmed yesterday when Advanced Bikes GmbH officially filed for insolvency. This insolvency reflects the problems the European industry is currently facing.

Taiwan’s second largest bicycle manufacturer Merida’s Headquarters in based in Dacun Township in Changhua County. – Photo Merida

Merida revenue recovers but profit lags behind

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - In the first three sales quarters of the current 2024 financial year Taiwan's second-largest bicycle manufacturer Merida Industry Co. Ltd. generated total revenue of TWD 23.8 billion (€695 million). Compared to the first nine months of the previous year, this is a good increase of 5.8% in a persistently difficult and challenging environment.

hGears manufactures high precision parts and components and has counted Bosch, Oli e-bike systems, ProscheEP and Valeo as clients in the E-bike segment. – Photo Bike Europe

hGears' e-bike business segment suffers from sluggish destocking

SCHAMBERG, Germany - High-precision transmission parts and components manufacturer hGears AG continues to suffer not only from the automotive crisis, but also from the e-bike business segment's sluggish destocking. In the first nine months of the current 2024 financial year, it had to digest its biggest sales drop.

Bike24’s decision to focus on ‘enthusiasts’ turns out to be the best for their financial reports. – Photo Bike 24

Bike24 retains upward sales trend in e-commerce during Q3

DRESDEN, Germany - Online retailer Bike24 reports a year-on-year revenue increase of 2.9% to €62.89 million from July to September 2024. In this quarter the category fully assembled bicycles saw a 6% revenue growth to an all-time high of €13.4 million. According to Bike24, "this is the result of our choice for a large brand portfolio and attractive price points."

 Wilier's goal is to strengthen its presence in China, which is becoming a dynamic and fast-growing market in the race segment. – Photo Wilier Triestina

Wilier Triestina expands in Asia to capitalise on growth in race...

ROSSANO VENETO, Italy - Performance brand Wilier Triestina is adding to its expansion strategy in the Asian market. Youn Live, a Taiwanese company with which Wilier has worked for many years as a client and which was fully acquired in 2021, is being transformed into a strategic and logistical hub, becoming the centre of the brand's development in Asia and Oceania.

“Order placement by both retailers and OEM customers remain much conservative, hence affecting sales recovery,” reports Giant Group. – Photo Bike Europe

Giant Group sales recovery taking longer than expected

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Mid 2024 Giant Group's sales trend seemed to have found a way up again, but this turned out to be only a short-lived revival. In July, Giant still expected operations to improve gradually, but the financial report published yesterday of the Q1-3 results show that a full recovery takes longer than expected.

Stella enjoyed a successful introduction in the early days of the e-bike market in the Netherlands. – Photo Stella

Stella eyes restart as e-bike brand is declared bankrupt

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands - Dutch e-bike brand Stella has been declared bankrupt, the appointed administrator Frans van Oss has confirmed. Coming quicker than expected, the bankruptcy follows the request for a delay in payments last week. Now all eyes are on a possible restart of the financially troubled e-bike manufacturer.

American company Fox Factory Holding Corp. is best known for its Fox Racing Shox brand of off-road racing suspension components. – Photo BRPH

Fox Factory's long suffering bicycle products bounce back in Q3

DULUTH, USA - It's not only the inclusion of recently acquired Marucci Sports' revenue boosting up suspension expert Fox Factory Holding Corp.'s Sports Specialty Sports Group (SSG) third quarter sales. SSG's bicycle product sales under the Easton Cycling, Fox, Marzocchi, Race Face, Ride Concepts brand names are also impressively bouncing back.