BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Europe’s early spring has boosted at least one bicycle company’s financials this year, with Accell Group reporting turnover and operating profit rises compared with the same period in 2013.
Accell – owner of Raleigh, Diamondback, Winora, Haibike, XLC, Koga and Ghost among others – cited ‘popular bicycle ranges’ of its brands as well as the good weather as the causes of the rises.
The group noted the growth of the e-bike market, including in North America, the market many believe is closest to the UK’s.
René Takens, CEO of Accell Group, said: “We have seen a positive start to the year 2014. Revenues in most markets developed positively. Electrically-assisted bikes continue to be popular and they are gaining popularity in countries where the market is still in its infancy, including the United States. Furthermore our sports bikes are also proving highly popular. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we therefore maintain our previous forecast for the full year 2014 of a further increase in both turnover and profit.”
The integration of the production facilities of Batavus and Sparta in Heerenveen is progressing according to plan, the group said.
Accell Group has invested in an automated warehouse system (AutoStore) for the spare parts deliveries of Juncker, Batavus, Sparta and Koga, which will be based at Accell’s facility in Apeldoorn and will be operational from January 2015.
The sale of the German Hercules business to the German company Zweirad-Einkaufs-Genossenschaft eG (“ZEG”), has been completed.
The group added: "Taking into account the normal effects related to the seasonal nature of bicycle sales, there have been no significant changes in the financial position of Accell Group in the first months of 2014, except for the above mentioned effects."
You can find more bike trade statistics and financials here.
