ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — Industry Nine announced Tuesday that it acquired British Columbia-based We Are One Composites, which has been its source for hand-laid carbon fiber rims for the past five years.
In a joint news release, both companies will continue operating in Asheville and Kamloops, respectively, maintaining their North American supply chain. All warranties for both companies will continue to be honored, and both said that with their combined expertise and resources, "groundbreaking products that will evolve the cycling industry" are already being developed.
When asked by BRAIN if it can hint at upcoming products, an i9 spokesperson said, "While we have not confirmed any specific upcoming product, we are investigating and considering pathways toward components expansion, and of course, a deeper offering of wheelsets and models that service every category of cycling and rider preference."
Both companies will continue to operate in a parallel fashion for now. Collaborative efforts will continue to unite both brands, employees, and operational capacities, with the intent of fully servicing under the Industry Nine brand name in the months ahead, offering a clear distinction of co-branded products with We Are One.
The i9 spokesperson told BRAIN all We Are One employees will continue in their roles and said the merger is expected to help add additional OEM clients. Industry Nine currently has about seven OEM partners in some level of sales and product collaboration.
"Their relentless dedication to quality and craftsmanship has always inspired us, and this partnership builds on the great work we've done over the years," said Clint Spiegel, Industry Nine's founder. "By bringing our two companies together, we're better positioned to engineer exceptional products and push the boundaries of what's possible for the cycling community."
We Are One said it will not resume producing its Arrival frames and frame components, which it discontinued last year. While having a small amount of spare and support parts, It will handle warranty claims case-by-case until stock is depleted. However, both companies will continue to operate and provide products through their respective channels.
"Joining Industry Nine feels like the natural next step in our journey," said Dustin Adams, We Are One founder. "Over the years, we've built a strong partnership rooted in shared values and a passion for innovation. This acquisition brings our team, our customers, and our community into the Industry Nine family where, together, we'll continue to develop groundbreaking products and push the boundaries of what is possible. With the combined strength of our like-minded teams, we remain dedicated to delivering even greater value to the cycling world."
More on fhe acquisition from our colleagues at Pinkbike.com.
