Kozo Shimano invests in Wren Sports

VALLEJO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Kozo Shimano, the former president of Shimano American Corp., has joined Wren Sports as an investor.

“I am thrilled to have Kozo come on board as an investor in Wren Sports,” said Kevin Wren, the founder and managing partner of Wren Sports. “Getting Kozo involved provides additional structure and experience as we build the business. I began my career in the bike business 35 years ago with Shimano and things seem to have come full circle.”

Wren was a sales manager at Shimano American from 1980 to 1986. He later worked for Union Frondenberg, Cannondale, Bell Sports, The Bike Cooperative and Kali Protectives. He founded Wren Sports last year. The brand's product line includes carbon components, and fat bike and mountain bike suspension forks.

Kozo Shimano said, “I’m very happy to be involved with Kevin and to assist in any way I can to grow the business ... I see a lot of potential in Kevin’s business plan and I know it will be fun working with him again. I've known Kevin for over 35 years. He was one of my first mentors in the bicycle business. He was also instrumental in the success of OEM sales for Shimano American in the 1980's. I believe in Kevin's work ethic, and see success in his future.”

Shimano, the grandson of company founder Shozaburo Shimano, holds an engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University. He served as president of Shimano American from 2000 until 2006, when he stepped down to focus on advocacy and public relations. He left Shimano American in 2008.

After leaving Shimano, he started two companies: Kozo Design, Inc. and KozoGear, LLC to develop and market sporting goods. His current project is supplying professional ice hockey teams with protective, cut-resistant clothing.