News
CAMBRIDGE, MA (BRAIN)—Montague Corporation, a full-size folding bike company, has just launched a new Web site at www.montaguebikes.com (click on link).

Congrats to the New Orleans Saints on last night's Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts. Great team and an even better story.

NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—During the build-out of his new Giant Brand Store in El Paso, Texas, Crazy Cat Cyclery owner Roberto Barrio said, "I’m a really good bike guy, but I’m not a very good merchandising guy. I learned so much from Giant about how to layout a store.”
CUPERTINO, CA (BRAIN)—Doug Dixon, who stole $88,000 worth of inventory from Northern California's Cupertino Bike Shop over a two-year period and sold it on eBay, was sentenced Thursday to eight months in Santa Clara County Jail.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (BRAIN)—Specialized decided to move its West Coast distribution center from its headquarters in Morgan Hill, California, to Salt Lake City 11 years ago after taking a look at the cost per square foot of leasing a facility, the strong labor market and the ability to deliver orders to dealers in 11
SPRINGFIELD, MA (BRAIN)—Ski Market sold last Friday to a restructuring and advisory firm that plans to liquidate the retailer’s remaining assets by the end of March, and close its last seven locations, according to an order filed in U.S. bankruptcy court.

Normally, I bang on a keyboard all day helping create content for the retailers who use our Web site service. So it was a treat to attend Park Tool's Tech Summit for a little hands-on and face-time. Held February 1-2 at the spacious Doubletree Hotel in downtown San Jose, California, it brought together technical gurus from Campagnolo, Fox, Hayes, Mavic, Park, RockShox, Shimano and SRAM to teach the latest tech tips and tricks to mechanics, some from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii, Taipei and Argentina.

Tucked away in an unassuming building in an industrial park off Southern California's I-15 freeway, Intense Cycles is still manufacturing mountain bike frames long after most of its high-end peers have decamped to Asia. Chris Allen, the company's new general manager, said while manufacturing in So Cal is a costly business model, the company has still managed to make a profit every year.

TEMECULA, CA (BRAIN)—Intense Cycles has hired industry veteran Chris Allen (pictured) and lean manufacturing expert Jeff Moates to prepare for the next stage of growth.
HELSINKI, Finland (BRAIN)—Mavic’s net sales fell 13 percent in 2009 due to declining OEM orders and weak demand in the U.S., according to year-end financial results released Thursday by Mavic’s parent company, Amer Sports.

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—In response to the international relief effort following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, BE Innovations, creators of ZYM electrolyte drink tablets, is donating both product—ZYM Endurance tabs—plus 30 percent of its online profits to the agency, Direct Relief International, which distributes

LONG BEACH, CA (BRAIN)—Bikestation is preparing to unveil its latest locations in the cities of Claremont and Covina this month. Both will be supported by local retailers and are located along the Metrolink commuter rail that stretches across the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
NUNSPEET, The Netherlands (BRAIN)—Shimano Europe Group has restructured its sales and marketing departments by integrating all European activities for Shimano products (Shimano, PRO and AIM brand) within one organization.