International

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — The newest Bicycle Retailer & Industry News issue — arriving in mailboxes and being distributed at Eurobike this week — features a look at Italy's bicycle industry, including a trend of some manufactures, like sunglass and helmet brand SH+, to return manufacturing to Italy after a few years of experiementing with Asian production.

SINGEN, Germany (BRAIN) — Ritchey International has opened a new logistics operation, Multisped GmbH, in Singen, Germany, and has started a dealer-direct sales of its complete bikes and frames in Europe.

TEMPE, Ariz. (BRAIN) — Pivot Cycles has hired Michael Golinski, the founder of Spot Brand and former general manager of Planet X USA, to head up Pivot's international operations.

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Wheels Manufacturing has opened a new office in the Netherlands for warehousing, sales and distribution of its line of bottom brackets, derailleur hangers, shop tools and other service parts to distributors throughout continental Europe.

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (BRAIN) — World Champion Peter Sagan will continue racing on a Specialized as he moves to the German team BORA–hansgrohe for 2017.

SANTEE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Ciclista America, the U.S. distributor for Sidi shoes, is introducing the Italian bike helmet line, Suomy, to the U.S. market this fall.

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano saw a steep decline in sales and profits in its bike segment in the first half, pointing to bad weather, the Brexit vote, terrorist attacks in Europe, and high distributor bicycle inventory in North America as contributors.

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands (BRAIN) — Accell Group is reporting record revenues and profits in the first half of the year, despite a sales slump in North America.

MALLABIA, Spain (BRAIN) — Orbea said it is skipping this year's Eurobike show, and will instead conduct several events with its European dealers and distributors. The company calls its new approach "Closer to You."