Industry News
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) — Competitor Group Inc. confirmed Monday that it has been sold to Calera Capital, as reported by several news sources including BRAIN last week.
LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Bicycle Retailer & Industry News’ staff is wrapping up changes to its annual Industry Directory & Index, a comprehensive listing of more than 1,700 companies and non-profit groups serving the industry’s retailers.
STOCKTON SPRINGS, MAINE (BRAIN) — The U.S.-based Light Electric Vehicle Association has made its first hire in Europe to help broaden its reach into the e-bike crazed EU.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (BRAIN) — The Grinch stole Argentina’s bike market this year, but the industry hopes the spirit of Christmas softens the government’s stance and import laws are softened in time for the holidays, the traditional start of the Argentine bike season.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (BRAIN) — The company behind a new factory in Bangladesh says business is picking up, with the ink drying on a deal to produce a half-million bicycle frames for a European supplier for the next five years.

BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — More than 40 percent of independent bicycle dealers report stronger Black Friday sales this year than in 2011, according to research firm Leisure Trends Group.
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) — Falconhead Capital, the owner of Competitor Group Inc., has sold the company to another venture capital group, Calera Capital Partners according to reports.
LONDON, United Kingdom (BRAIN) — Tour de France hero Greg LeMond is the latest to join the self-described "global pressure group" Change Cycling Now, which is holding its first meeting and press conference in London this weekend. The group was formed after the Lance Armstrong doping scandal broke and is pushing for changes to professional cycling in general and at the the international cycling union UCI in particular.
HAYWARD, CA (BRAIN) — Bianchi has recently relocated its U.S. headquarters to a larger warehouse and office space in Hayward, California, not far from the company's previous location.
DUARTE, CA (BRAIN) — Dahon has added a Russian distributor, Veloolimp Ltd., for its folding bikes.
CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) — SRAM is adding to its marketing muscle with the hires of Elayna Caldwell and Chris Zigmont. Each will be making the move to Chicago as they take on their new roles next January.

BERKELEY, CA (BRAIN) — The board of directors for the nonprofit that runs high school cycling leagues has shuffled the organization’s top-paid position, replacing recent executive director hire Doug Selee with Austin McInerny, a seasoned member of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, or NICA.

MILWAUKEE, WI (BRAIN) — The Wisconsin Bike Fed has hired Jessica Ginster as development director.
Ginster will provide strategic direction in developing donor relations and expanding the Bike Fed’s presence, impact and funding statewide.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BRAIN) — QBP is now distributing products by humangear, inc., a San Francisco company whose products include the GoToob, a soft silicone squeeze bottle.
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO (BRAIN)—Terry Duran has stepped down as the national sales manager for Scott Sports’ U.S. bicycle division. It’s a role Duran had held since it was created in January 2011.

NEW YORK CITY, NY (BRAIN) — Giant USA is donating 100 bikes to people in the New York City areas hit hardest by post-tropical storm Sandy.
The company is working with Transportation Alternatives and Recycle-A-Bicycle to improve mobility among residents in the stricken areas.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN) — Versa Capital Management LLC has purchased New Hampshire-based Eastern Mountain Sports, a 69-store retail chain.

ATHENS, GA (BRAIN) – Organizers of the Southeast Bike Expo say after a successful inaugural year they will hold the show again in February 2013, but are adding a day for dealers only.