TAICHUNG CITY, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group founder King Liu died Monday at the age of 93. Liu founded Giant in Taiwan in 1972 and co-founded Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and eight years later built it into the largest bike manufacturer in the country and second largest in Asia.
According to a Giant Group news release, "Liu devoted himself to bicycles, believing they represented not merely a business, but a meaningful way of life. He was widely respected as a lifelong advocate for cycling culture and remained a deeply influential figure to colleagues, partners, and riders across generations."
Liu was born in Shalu, Taichung, in 1934 and reared in a family that operated a trading business. At Taichung First Senior High School in 1946, he developed an interest in mechanical engineering and a lifelong passion for cycling. He eventually enrolled at Taichung Industrial High School to pursue technical training.
From 1952 to the 1960s, Liu worked in several industries, including timber, flour production, screw manufacturing, and eel farming before entering the bike business. At the beginning of Giant Group, Liu insisted on quality systems and promoted component standardization across the Taiwanese bike industry.
Stepping out from the business aspect of cycling in 1978, he founded the International Tour of Taiwan that brought professional road racing to the country. In 1981, Liu established the Giant brand that transformed the company from an OEM exporter into "a globally recognized brand with a growing domestic presence," according to the company.
In 1986, Giant opened its first overseas subsidiary in the Netherlands, the brand's first global expansion. Also that year, Giant debuted CADEX, the world's first mass-produced carbon fiber road bike.
At the age of 73 in 2007, Liu completed a 927-kilometer cycling journey around Taiwan, inspiring a nationwide cycling movement and later published My Cycling Dream. Among the many professional accolades received, Liu was named BRAIN's International Person of the Year in 2009.
In 2017, Liu retired as chairman, with Bonnie Tu succeeding him.
Giant Group said service arrangements will be planned at a later date in accordance with the family's wishes. "Giant Group extends its sincere appreciation to all friends and partners for their understanding, support, and companionship during this time."
