BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Dan Gerhard, one of Kona’s founding owners, and Jim Holmstrom, who runs Kona’s Euro HQ in Geneva, are currently touring the UK meeting with Kona stockists ahead of the July 1st distribution transition from Paligap.
Holmstrom (pictured) said: "Our UK visit is dedicated to a direct, hands-on tour of how our brand is perceived today at the dealer and consumer levels. It also gives us the opportunity to introduce ourselves to some of the people that have been selling our brand during the past decades.
"Sadly, we will not have time to see every dealer. However, we should be able to get a good idea about our strength of alliance at the IBD level."
On July 1st, Kona distribution in the UK will be handled from Geneva, with two British reps on the road. There will be a UK-specific warranty hotline and a UK-focussed administrator in at Euro HQ.
Kona Europe was established 15 years ago. Stock is now accessed from the Geneva HQ, with dealers having access to an online ordering system with inventory and logistics data. The Geneva HQ has dealer tech training facilities, product showrooms, and a test centre.
Gerhard said: "We believe in efficiency and with our centralised structure dealers will get access to a vast European stock pool, more competitive prices and a direct access to communicate with our staff on local product needs or new product developments."
