It is not the first time that the bicycle industry in South-East Asia is accused of illegal labour practices. - Photo Shutterstock
Taiwan

LeMonde paints grim picture of bicycle industry in Taiwan

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Any frequent visitor of bicycle industry factories in Taiwan, has seen that a lot of the workers come from countries like Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand or Indonesia. Often the signing in the factories is multi-lingual to facilitate the foreign workers. In a recent publication, LeMonde Diplomatique reports that they have found indicators of forced labour according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), particularly in the Taiwan bicycle industry.

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

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.

The Danish market with benefit from Merida Benelux’s logistics and warehousing service, a customer service but also an experience center. – Photo Merida Benelux
Mergers & Acquisitions

Merida Benelux takes over distribution in Denmark

APELDOORN, the Netherlands - To step up Merida's presence, the Benelux distributor of the Taiwanese manufacturer has expanded into Denmark as the official importer for this country. This strategic move strengthens Merida's foothold in the Scandinavian region, furthering the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality bikes and cycling gear to a wider audience.

Merida Taiwan has enlarged its ownership in Merida & Centurion Germany from 51% to 90%, including the MCG factory in Hildburghausen, Germany. – Photo MCG
Mergers & Acquisitions

Merida takes over distributor Merida & Centurion Germany

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - Merida Industry Co. Ltd. Has enlarged its majority ownership in its German distributor Merida & Centurion Germany GmbH (MCG), which is managed and owned by German industry veteran Wolfgang Renner.

Merida reports a turnaround in revenue since April. – Photo Merida
Financial

Merida halts decline and reports increased turnover in second quarter

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - Merida Industry Co., Ltd. was particularly hit hard by the slump which hit the bicycle industry last year. In 2023 the manufacturer lost more than a quarter of its revenue. The financial performance at the start of 2024 was still not positive. The turnaround came in April, and Merida suddenly started to report strong growth figures again.

In Memoriam: Jürgen Falke who passed away this month. – Photo MCG
people

Merida and MCG mourn loss of leading developer Jürgen Falke

MAGSTADT, Germany - At the beginning of May, Merida & Centurion Germany GmbH (MCG) announced that Jürgen Falke, the long-standing CEO and co-founder of Merida R&D Center GmbH had left the company on 30 April for health reasons. After a short, serious illness and far too early 61year old Jürgen Falke passed away on 13 June.

  1. Merida Q1 figures show bicycle producers continue to struggle
  2. Merida 2023 sales shifted down sharply in line with market trend
  3. Taiwan's top 3 face further sales and profit slumps in Q3 results
  4. Merida reports first half year sales and profit decrease
  5. Merida reports stable Q1 sales but profit almost halves
  6. Both Merida and Ideal Bike announce top management changes
  7. Giant Group spearheads Taiwanese bicycle industry sustainability alliance
  8. Unsteady supply chain impacts financial results of Giant and Merida
  9. Subscribers onlyPandemic casts shadow over Polish bicycle industry
  10. Merida sales affected by shipping and supply issues
  11. Giant Group and Merida report ongoing strong demand for e-bikes
  12. SponsoredSix Taiwan Excellence award winning cycling brands showcase latest innovations
  13. SponsoredQuality and innovation: Taiwan Excellence introduces best brands on March 25
  14. E-bikes in the lead at Taipei Cycle d&i awards
  15. Taiwanese bike sector prospers as inventories need filling
  1. Merida's earnings rise led by post-lockdown e-bikes sales
  2. Taipei Cycle confirms March 2021 dates: show goes off-line and on-line
  3. Merida's bike exports grow as order numbers increase
  4. Giant starts production at Hungarian factory as European sales rise
  5. Merida sees strong online sales growth due to corona
  6. Despite Coronavirus Business (Almost) as Usual for Giant and Merida in China
  7. How Big is the Biggest in E-Bikes; Part 2
  8. How Big is the Biggest in E-Bikes?
  9. Merida's E-Bike Sales Continues To Rise Rapidly
  10. Subscribers only'Taiwan's Bicycle Industry Entering New Era'
  11. Merida Invests 18 Million Euro in European E-Bike Production
  12. Steady Growth in E-Bike Sales at Merida and Giant
  13. Ongoing Strong Demand for Giant and Merida E-Bikes
  14. Task Force Formed for Reshoring Bike Production Back from China to Taiwan
  15. Subscribers onlyE-Bikes Push Merida Revenues by 33 Percent in first Nine Months