International

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano is sticking to its original guidance for net sales and operating income for the rest of the year after reporting a 15.6% year-over-year increase in revenue in its bike division for the first quarter.
SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico (BRAIN) — Mercurio Sports Group, a bike manufacturer and distributor in Mexico, opened a $25 million, 1.4 million square-foot facility-square-foot factory here in 2019, with plans to assemble bikes for the U.S. and the domestic market, and to eventually add frame manufacturing.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taipei Cycle show begins Wednesday with an estimated 980 exhibitors from 35 countries participating at the Nangang Exhibition Center.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwanese manufacturer Merida Industry Co., which owns 35% of Specialized Bicycle Company, recorded a non-operating loss of over $100 million related to that investment in 2024, as the U.S. bike brand took a deferred tax loss and write-downs on its retail operations.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group reports that its operating profits declined 60% last year as it wrote down NT$1.9 billion ($57.6 million) in inventory provision losses, recognizing the decline in inventory value due to discounting.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (BRAIN) — One of Vietnam's largest importers for the domestic market would welcome reciprocal tariffs with the U.S., if they led to a new trade deal and reduced Vietnam's current high import duties on U.S. products.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — China’s Zhonglu Co, through one of its subsidiaries, has acquired a 21% share in Factor Bikes while a private equity firm that includes Factor CEO Rob Gitelis also has made an investment. Together the two entities have acquired a majority share in Factor from exiting non-management shareholders, the company told BRAIN.

TOKYO (BRAIN) — Shimano’s sales last year amounted to 451 billion yen ($2.94 billion), down 4.9% from the year before. Operating income and ordinary income also were down while net income was up 25%.

GRIMSBY, United Kingdom (BRAIN) — LeMond Carbon UK is planning a facility here to make carbon fiber wind turbine blades and pressure vessels for hydrogen storage.

KORTRIJK, Belgium (BRAIN) — Pablo Carrasco and Ignacio Estelles, the co-founders of the Rotor Bike Components, launched a new component brand called QO at the Velofollies bike show in Belgium last week.

MURRIETA, Calif. (BRAIN) — Pierer New Mobility GmbH — the e-bike business unit of Pierer Mobility AG — says it will consolidate its functions to headquarters in Munderfing, Austria, and Murrieta, California, and phase out its operations in South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

(BRAIN) — Tern has opened its first European distribution office in Cologne, Germany. Tern Zentrale will stock the urban mobility company's full range of bikes, accessories, and parts.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group's 2024 operating revenues were down 7.4% from the year prior, but are still above pre-pandemic levels.

TWICKENHAM, United Kingdom (BRAIN) — Folding bike brand Brompton Bicycle Limited recorded a 5.3% decline in revenues in the 12-month period that ended March 31, 2024, according to filings made in the U.K. recently.

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands (BRAIN) — Following a recapitalization agreement in October and a 390 million euro loss in 2023, Accell Group's CEO said the company's recovery is on the way.

TAIPEI (BRAIN) — Giant Group announced its current chairperson, Bonnie Tu, will retire from her position, with current CEO Young Liu appointed as the new chairman, and current Chief Branding Officer Phoebe Liu promoted to CEO. These changes will take effect January 1.

BIELLA, Italy (BRAIN) — Selle Italia has acquired a fellow Italian cycling brand with a long history: Vittoria Cycling Shoes.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group's sales in the first nine months of its fiscal year were down 7.1% compared to the same period last year. The company said that while bike inventory levels continue to decline in Europe and North America, order placement by the company's OE and retail customers is conservative.