Longmeadow, MA (BRAIN)— New England Specialty Sports Inc., a newly formed sales agency, will represent Shimano Cycling and Pearl Izumi in six New England states.
The agency is headed by George Frick and joined by Pearl Izumi sales veteran Bob Wood and Walter Driscoll, the former longtime bike buyer for the now-defunct New England Ski Market sporting goods chain.
The trio is looking for another outside sales rep and a tech rep to join the group, Driscoll said.
Having recently returned from the first ever Shimano/Pearl Izumi national sales meeting in Denver, Frick said the combination of the brands would bring innovation, excitement and growth to two of the top brands in the cycling industry.
Shimano announced in October that it and Pearl Izumi would combine outside sales rep forces to improve the level of service to dealers. At that time, 66 sales personnel represented the two brands, but that number was expected to be pared to 45 to 50 by the end of November. Shimano acquired Pearl Izumi in early 2008.
