FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (BRAIN)—Taiwan-based Neco Parts has set up a small U.S. branch with hopes of eventually establishing itself as a major player in the mid to high-end component market.
Henry Hinojosa is manning the Foothill Ranch, California, office where he will head up marketing, product development, sales and aftersales service.
“I wear a lot of hats. It’s kind of a one-man show,” said Hinojosa.
Hinojosa has been part of the Southern California cycling industry since the 1980s, working at Mozo and Santana Tandems. In the mid 1990s, he owned a paint shop and painted custom frames for GT and Schwinn.
Neco Parts sells mostly low to mid-end headset and bottom brackets to OE customers in Asia, South America and Europe, but is looking to enter the U.S. market with a line of middle to upper end Neco-branded products. It’s currently working on innovations in cranksets, bottom brackets and pedals, and may also consider developing a wheelset.
Hinojosa hopes to have product ready for 2011 bikes.
For more on Neco Parts’ expansion plans, including its strategy to compete in the U.S., read the May 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
