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Schwalbe’s Green Marathon tyre was welcomed in 2023 as the company’s most sustainably produced product to date. – Photo Schwalbe

Economic and inventory woes push Schwalbe turnover down 30%

REICHSHOF, Germany - Tyre manufacturer Schwalbe has reported a turnover of €237 million in 2023, down 30% from a record year in 2022. Dampened consumer sentiment and high inventory levels at all trade levels are cited to have had an impact. Nevertheless, the turnover was still well above the pre-corona level. In 2019, turnover reached €210 million.

The appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gijsbert van Zoeten is Accell Group’s next step in an attempt to counter the financial challenges. The reorganization of the board of management was only communicated internally.

Accell Group reorganizes senior management to counter financial...

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gijsbert van Zoeten is Accell Group's next step in an attempt to counter the financial challenges. The reorganization of the board of management was only communicated internally.

The new appointment "marks a continuation in the relaunch and transformation of Mavic," says Jean-Michel Bourrelier. - Photos Mavic

Bourrelier Group appoints new managing director of Mavic

ANNECY, France - There is a new face at the helm of French component manufacturer Mavic. Having worked with Jean-Michel Bourrelier for more than five months, Alberto Morgando officially took over the position of managing director on 20 February.

The financial markets began worrying about the financial position of Accell Group a long time ago. – Photo Accell Group

Financial and organisational problems piling up at Accell Group

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The financial situation for KKR owned Accell Group is becoming increasingly challenging. A group of lenders decided to select advisers to assess options for the bicycle manufacturer amid struggles spurred by waning demand and operational hurdles. Accell is also facing an expensive recall of the Babboe cargobike and at the same time the union might shut down one of the Heerenveen factories later today.

“Belgium is our biggest market,” Stromer co-CEO Tomi Viiala confirmed to Bike Europe during Velofollies.

Stromer reports growth despite cycling industry headwinds

OBERWANGEN, Switzerland - Despite overall stagnant or declining markets in Europe, myStromer AG, parent company of premium e-bike brands Stromer and Desiknio, bucked the general trend and continue to expand its market shares in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the challenging e-bike market in the US, the company achieved double-digit (consolidated) growth.

Moving in early 2023 from German Cycle Union to Swiss SEMG, CEO Frank-Simon Aeschbacher is guiding M-Way’s expansion into Germany. – Photo M-Way

Swiss e-bike retail chain M-Way enters German market

NUREMBERG, Germany - Following the sale of e-bike retail chain store M-Way from Swiss retail conglomerate Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund to Swiss E-Mobility Group AG (SEMG) in September 2019, the long-awaited move into Germany has now taken place. On 6 February the company celebrated the opening of its first M-Way store in Nuremberg.

In Shimano’s main markets in Europe, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium interest for bicycles remained strong. – Photo Shimano

Shimano loses 29% in turnover and half its profit in 2023

OSAKA, Japan - The financial consequences of high inventory in the market accelerated in the fourth quarter of last year for bicycle and parts manufacturers. Shimano even reports a year-on-year decline of 24.6% in revenue and a 52.3% drop in net profit. The figures Shimano projected for 2024 don't show a positive picture either.

What might turn into an asset sale, some bidders have expressed an interest in the six stationary Fahrrad.de bicycle stores in Germany. – Photo Internetstores

Future of Internetstores Group hangs in balance as no buyer steps...

BIELEFELD, Germany - In the aftermath of the announced insolvency, no offers have been made for the Internetstores Group as a whole, an interim assessment of the insolvency proceedings has revealed. This raises concerns about the continuity of the brands under the Internetstores Group umbrella, potentially putting numerous jobs at risk.

The relocation of production from Heerenveen, the Netherlands to other European locations such as in Hungary (pictured) will result in more than a hundred job losses for the Accell Group. - Photo Bike Europe

Accell Group cuts jobs as production across Europe is streamlined

HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - Accell Group has announced today that it plans to adjust its production structure to "simplify operations and enhance efficiency". To do this Accell will merge its two facilities in Heerenveen, The Netherlands and relocate some of the current production to Accell's other European manufacturing facilities. Up to 150 job losses are expected.

Following disinvestments, GasGas and Husqvarna take the lead in Pierer Mobility’s e-bike portfolio. – Photo GasGas

Bicycle segment restructuring impacts Pierer Mobility's 2023 earnings

WELS, Austria - Pierer Mobility Group warns for more consolidations and job losses in its bicycle and e-bike division in the year ahead in its preliminary financial figures for 2023. The company did report a 9% increase in consolidated sales to a new record of almost €2.7 billion in 2023, but that increase was fully attributed to its motorcycle business.