BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
At Interbike the US co-operative added to its longstanding tandem range with a tight selection of four steel solo bikes, two commuter and two road bikes.
The UK Trailer Co., based on the Camel Trail in Cornwall, is a bike-hire and trailer specialist but owners Nigel and Berni Wiggett don’t wish to handle distribution of bicycles, hence the split.
The company has represented Burley for 12 years.
“Berni and I have decided to take a step back. We will be refurbishing our hire shop and retaining the UK Trailer Co. trading title,” said Nigel Wiggett, who is ACT’s hire trade representative.
Matt Purvis, general manager for Burley, said:
“Our biggest problem now will be to find a distributor that will give Burley customers the same level of service that they have come to expect from UK Trailer.
"I have worked with many distributors over the years and have never had the level of trust and communication that I have with Nigel and Berni. I know that they represent our products and company well and put 110 percent into everything they do.”
UK Trailer and Burley will still be working together while looking for a new distributor.
Val Hoyle, Burley’s international sales manager, said:
“The long term interests of our company and our customers will be served by a smooth transition of our distribution business. We would rather take our time to get the best distribution network for our products.
"Over the past few years the product line of Burley Design Cooperative has expanded to include a wide range of tandems, recumbents and high performance steel single bikes. Burley will be looking for a distributor that can handle the whole range of products for the UK.”
