SAN DIEGO (BRAIN) — BST Nano Carbon, which acquired Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles in September, has hired industry veteran Tony Karklins as general manager of the BST Bikes division, which houses both Ellsworth and the new Synergy Nano component brand.
Karklins will be responsible for the operations and expansion of BST Bikes, including Ellsworth. Founder Tony Ellsworth will focus on designing new bikes and components for both his eponymous frame brand and Synergy Nano.
Karklins owned and operated Chainwheel, an IBD in Little Rock, Ark., for 19 years before launching Orbea USA in 2001. Orbea USA served as the exclusive U.S. distributor for Orbea until the Spanish company acquired the subsidiary in spring 2014. Karklins was most recently an executive vice president at Florida-based retail chain BikeStreet USA.
"I look forward to leading BST Bikes. It's an opportunity like no other," Karklins said. "With access to BST Nano's advanced materials and large-scale, carbon fiber manufacturing in Southern California, BST Bikes is poised for great success in the bicycle industry. We will focus on the Ellsworth brand for 2015, as we work to expand our offerings and presence to other categories in the near future."
Bill Wood, senior vice president of BST Nano Carbon's worldwide sales and marketing, said, "Tony's exceptional business acumen and deep involvement with the bicycle industry are a welcome addition to BST Bikes as we prepare to grow market share and launch exciting new products and programs for Ellsworth and Synergy Nano domestically and abroad."
