SAN CARLOS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Ritchey Design is expanding its agreements with Quality Bicycle Products and Bicycle Technologies International for the sale and fulfillment of Ritchey products. Both distributors will expand their distribution of Ritchey's products to include all frames, parts, tools and accessories (excluding complete bikes), and will serve virtually all territories in the Western Hemisphere.
Ritchey will discontinue the majority of its dealer-direct business.
"Ritchey has enjoyed, and benefitted from, a long and trusted relationship with our distributors," said Phil Ellinwood, Ritchey Design's general manager. "Expanding that partnership will ensure a more efficient and effective level of service for our retailers around the country. We have relied on BTI and QBP to provide a level of excellent service equivalent to Ritchey values and look forward to working with them even more closely. This shift will ensure retailers can get Ritchey components and bicycle frames to retailers quickly and easily."
Both distributors have agreed to carry more Ritchey SKUs, the company said. Ritchey will maintain select national accounts, sponsorships, and small builder accounts, allowing BTI and QBP to service all other accounts.
"We've had a long-standing, productive relationship with Ritchey, and this is an exciting expansion of it," said Stephen Vitvitsky, QBP's purchasing manager. "This change allows specialty retailers to procure the complete Ritchey line easily and efficiently. It is another step in QBP's continued work to deliver value for retailers by reducing procurement costs and providing a convenient shopping experience across evermore products that they need to serve their customers in today's competitive market."
Riley Holmes, BTI's purchasing manager, said, "Ritchey has been a pioneer in countless innovations in mountain and road for over 40 years. BTI is fully committed to Ritchey's new strategy, meaning specialty retailers can access the complete Ritchey selection while enjoying the benefits of BTI's freight incentives and Margin Booster savings."
