Accell Group completes purchase of Currie • CamelBak hires eastern sales manager • Norco signs mountain biker Mike Hopkins • IMBA hires two new regional directors
CHATSWORTH, CA (BRAIN)—Accell Group has completed its purchase of electric bike company Currie Technologies, Currie announced Wednesday. Accell, which also owns Seattle Bike Supply, initiated the purchase last month.
"This transaction will bring Currie Technologies access to Accell’s advanced technological and supply chain resources, financial stability and their significant experience in establishing e-bikes in their markets," Said Currie president Larry Pizzi. "Currie is planning on building and expanding awareness here in the US while developing the independent bicycle dealer (IBD) channel with the most comprehensive, best-in-class dealer support."
Accell Group’s best-known brands are Batavus, Koga, Sparta, Winora, Hai Bike, Ghost, Lapierre, Atala, Redline, Tunturi and XLC. The company has production facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Turkey. Accell Group shares are traded on the official market of the NYSE, Euronext in Amsterdam and included in the Amsterdam Small Cap Index (AScX).
CamelBak hires eastern sales manager
PETALUMA, CA (BRAIN)—CamelBak has hired Jeremy Hancock as its eastern sales manager. Hancock has more than 10 years' experience in the industry, including stints with Pearl Izumi and Kelty.
Norco signs mountain biker Mike Hopkins for 2012
PORT COQUITLAM, BC, Canada (BRAIN)—Norco has signed British Columbia native Mike Hopkins to ride for the brand this year. Hopkins has been featured in many action videos, magazine and websites. The company says he will be aboard the Norco Aurum, Sight, Shinobi, Rampage and custom slopestyle frames this year.
His other sponsors include Monster Energy, The North Face, Marzocchi, Shimano, 661, Gravity and Smith Optics.
"I am excited to work with a company like Norco that has built its brand around bikes engineered for my style of riding," Hopkins said. "The opportunity to work with Norco's engineers on new design ideas and platforms is very exciting."
IMBA expands chapter program, hires two new regional directors
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN)—The International Mountain Bicycling Association has hired two new regional directors as it rolls out its regional chapter program this year.
Patrick Kell will leave his current post as executive director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association to become director of IMBA's newly formed Southwest region.
Andrew Williamson will become director of IMBA's new Great Lakes region. Williamson comes from Ohio's Five Rivers Metro Parks, where he directed outdoor recreation programs.
IMBA has recently added regional directors in the Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, the Southeast and the Upper Midwest. The regional chapter program allows individuals to join IMBA and their local mountain bike organization with a single membership.
