CHICAGO (BRAIN) — SRAM announced Friday that it will reduce the number of distributors selling its components effective May 23, eliminating Olympic Supply Co., Hans Johnsen Co., Downeast Bicycle Specialists, Wilson and Action Bicycle. Hans Johnsen owns both Downeast and Wilson.
In a brief statement from SRAM, Brian Gavette, director of sales and marketing for the Americas, said the move is intended to create more efficiency by streamlining distribution. “These are difficult decisions and we realize there will be some disappointment. We are absolutely grateful to these distributors for their contributions and years of service,” Gavette said.
Steve Mattil, director of bicycle sales at Hans Johnsen, said SRAM had sent the distributor a letter about two weeks ago. “We were pretty surprised and disappointed, but we thought it best for SRAM to make the announcement,” he said.
The decision will limit the choices dealers have when ordering SRAM products, Mattil said. And for Hans Johnsen, the loss of SRAM on top of losing Shimano hurts, he added. “Having that happen in a two-year-period is pretty substantial,” Mattil said.
Check back later at BicycleRetailer.com for further developments.
