International
Megan Tompkins sat down with Bonnie Tu, executive vice president and CFO, at the Liv / Giant store in Taipei to talk about what Giant has learned from its first dedicated women’s retail store.
NUNSPEET, Netherlands (BRAIN)—Shimano Europe has hired a new PR and events manger. Rudy Bouwmeester, 29, will take over the role vacated by Harald Troost last September.
By Nicole Formosa
TAICHUNG, Taiwan—Uncertainty over economic stability in Europe has Taiwanese manufacturers in wait-and-see mode as 2012 orders dip from suppliers in its most important export market.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN)—China is playing an increasingly important role for Merida as the Taiwan manufacturer reported significant rises in units sold and revenue generated in the country during the first 11 months of the year.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Giant Global has formally launched its bike touring division, called Giant Adventure.
BERN, Switzerland (BRAIN)—The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry has hired a bicycle manager to work with the association’s 40 or so bike members.
German native Florian Dammer, 28, formerly of KTM and Lowa, stepped into the position last month.
BEIJING, China (BRAIN)—A new industry show is scheduled next March in Beijing to help a handful of bike brands tap into the emerging high-end Chinese market.
WASHINGTON, DC (BRAIN)—Mass-market suppliers saddled with too much inventory and low expectations for this holiday season cut imports of kids' bikes—sidewalk and 20-inch—by 3.8 million units year to date through October.
MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN)—The Australian government is backing the cycling industry’s attempts to lower an import tax threshold that some say is threatening the viability of brick and mortar bike shops.
GENT, Belgium (BRAIN)—The trade group that represents European bicycle dealers won a small victory in its push to relax regulations for electric bicycles.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Taichung Bike Week moves two weeks earlier next year as organizers strive for better balance between American and European spec calendars.
Editor's note: The following article appears in the December issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News. To subscribe to the magazine, click on the link at the upper right.
By Nicole Formosa
KENT, WA (BRAIN)—Raleigh America will hold its annual sales meeting and 2013 dealer product launch in conjunction with Lifeboat Events’ DealerCamp next July in Park City, Utah.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Ride On organizer Luca Conte expected 160 people to show up to the event Thursday morning, but turnout was nearly 200, with the line to pick up badges stretching into the Hotel One lobby. (For more coverage from Taichung, click on link to download the PDF newsletter.)
TALI CITY, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Construction is nearing the midpoint at Lezyne’s new 5,000-square-meter factory outside Taichung with a move-in date scheduled before the Taipei Cycle show in early March. (Click on the link above to download the Taichung Bike Week PDF newsletter.)
PORTSMOUTH, UK (BRAIN)—Online UK bike retailer Wiggle continues to expand its sales reach with the launch of its website in Russian and Chinese.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN)—Bigger and busier were two commonly heard sentiments as Taichung Bike Week kicked off Tuesday in three popular hotels along the industrial city’s bustling downtown strip. (Click on link above to download the PDF newsletter.)
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN)—Fallbrook Technologies has teamed with Perfect Sport International (PSI) to meet increased demand for bikes equipped with the company’s NuVinci N360 CVP transmission and NuVinci Harmony drivetrain.
MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC (BRAIN)—Outdoor Gear Canada now has 40,000 square feet of additional space to house inventory at its Montréal LEED-certified headquarters.