Industry News
HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands (BRAIN)—Accell Group posted a 17-percent growth in profits in 2008 due to strong sales of bicycles, a better product mix and the acquisition of Ghost, according to a year-end earnings report released last Friday.
Why Rabobank bikes didn't get stolen at the Tour of California:
Because Lance and Team Astana didn't have Ride Giant demo specialist Tom Neb or Rabo 1!
Courtesy of Giant's Patrick VanHorn
DAVOS, Switzerland (BRAIN)—Specialized plans to open its first concept store in Switzerland this spring.
Ivans Velo Sport Shop is scheduled to open April 4 in Davos in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
TRENTON,NJ (BRAIN)—Dana Carson has been promoted to managing director of Hutchinson Tire North America.
Carson assumes responsibility for the expansion of Hutchinson's bicycle tire division, after spending a year as aftermarket sales manager.
SPEEDWAY, IN (BRAIN)—The North American Handmade Bicycle Show kicks off today in Speedway, Indiana with well-known names such as De Rosa, Zullo, Serotta, Sachs, Calfee, Crumpton, Vanilla, Walker and De Salvo among the exhibitors.
MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—Organizers of a new trade show in Melbourne, Australia have changed the event’s name to Ausbike after initially calling itself Interbike Australia and using a logo nearly identical to that of Interbike’s.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—Boulder Indoor Cycling, home to a brand new indoor velodrome, opened its doors this January with help from Fuji Bicycles.
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—At its recent annual expo this past weekend, Quality Bicycle Products announced that it still plans to open a distribution warehouse in Utah, but that it could be well after 2010.
FAIRFIELD, CT (BRAIN)—If industry executives got out of the office and on the road, they’d quickly learn that most dealers are upbeat about prospects for a good year despite the recession roiling the economy, said Chris Fortune, president of Saris.

ANAHEIM, CA (BRAIN)—The National Bicycle Dealers Association is launching the NBDA Independent Concept initiative, Fred Clements told dealers at its Super Seminar in Anaheim yesterday.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BRAIN)—Peak Region Cyclist magazine hosted its first ever bike show this past Saturday with nice results.
According to Peak Region Cyclist founder and industry veteran Jon Severson, more than 500 people showed up.
This week's Ready to Pedal video: "Why Ride?" Click on link to view video.

Growth Cycle is shipping its new Ready to Pedal consumer DVD next week. Subtitled, "Ride More, Drive Less, Here's How," the content is timely. With a 90 percent dealer margin, sales are strong, and the HD quality video and gorgeous San Diego backdrop means production quality is high.
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN)—Gruppo Bici N.A. has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Atala S.p.A. According to terms of the agreement, Gruppo Bici is now the exclusive importer, marketer and distributor of Atala, Carraro and Umberto Dei bicycles in North America.
MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—A new trade show for the Australia and New Zealand market is set to open its doors in Australia August 16-17.
"All my bikes are sexy." —Ben Serotta in response to a comment from a guest at the Serotta Composites open house that "Ben finally made a sexy bike."
For a tour of the composites factory where Serotta is making the "sexy" MeiVici AE custom carbon aero bike seen here, visit the BRAIN Blog.

"Funny looking Time Trial Bike TTX 9.9. $12,000 (Switzerland). Supposed to be one of a kind. Requirements for payment: 1. Must have cash in Euros. 2. Meet in dark alley in Chinatown. 3. Ask for Fabian Cancellara."
PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—Advanced Sports, Inc. (ASI) has hired two sales representatives.
Joining the ASI sales force are Patrick Leslie, fleet and commercial sales representative and Tom Mantle, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia sales representative.
DUARTE, CA (BRAIN)—Dahon's testing laboratory at its China factory has received accreditation for the testing of bicycle frames and sub-assemblies according to a host of international standards, including the EN standard in Europe.