News
New Software Platform to Solve Compatibility Headaches
Rotorua, NZ NZ start-up Bike Matrix is preparing to pilot a new software platform aiming to be a go-to reference guide for bike part compatibility. The online system will enable shop mechanics and consumers to input the make and model of a bicycle and instantly see the array of compatible parts – saving them time…
High Quality Return for China Cycle
Shanghai, China A quantum leap forward in the quality of Chinese bicycle products was on display when China Cycle 2023 was held in Shanghai this month – the first time the event has been held since 2019 because of Covid restrictions. TEBCO managing director Tony Morgan reported back to The Latz Report when he returned…
Restored Partnership a Silver Bullitt for Cargo Conversion
Melbourne, Victoria While bicycle companies around the globe are looking down the barrel of a testing economic climate for the next few months at least, one Melbourne business has turned to a Bullitt as a solution. E-Cargo and commuter e-bike specialist Dutch Cargo last week signed as a distributor for Bullitt, a lightweight, front-loading cargo…
Melbourne Scooter Sales Gaining Momentum
Melbourne, Victoria Well-established Melbourne e-scooter retailers have enjoyed a notable increase in sales since the Victorian Government legalised private electric scooters from early last month, according to a prominent scooter distributor. Other retailers remain optimistic of escalating sales over the remainder of this year. John Dunnachie, the sales and marketing manager for distributor Bikecorp, said…
Product Briefs: Early Investor Support for First Automatic E-Bike Motor
Girona, Italy An Italian start-up’s campaign to develop the world’s first automatic motor for e-bikes has attracted a rush of investors before its fund-raising campaign has gone public. Niche Mobility, based in Girona, is developing an Automatic Digital Transmission System (ADTC) complete with regenerative breaking. The company had scheduled to begin its Crowdcube fund-raising campaign…
Jamison Joins Bicycle Academy to Share Four Decades of Experience
Melbourne, Victoria A central figure in Melbourne’s bicycle industry for the past four decades, Mick Jamison, has joined the Bicycle Academy team in a training, assessing and business development role. An owner of several Melbourne bike stores since the 1980s and one of Australia’s earliest mountain bike competitors, Mick had already set his sights on…
Giant Profits Halved But Mid-Term Optimism Remains
Taipei, Taiwan Giant Group’s nett profits have halved in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, the Taiwan-based company revealed in a financial report released last week. Its consolidated financial report for the 2023 first quarter shows the group’s nett profit after tax was NT$836 million (A$40.49 million), a decline…
£19 Million Injection for Supercharged Brompton Growth
London, UK Folding bike specialist Brompton’s desires to grow even faster than its 20% organic expansion in recent years has sparked a £19 million (A$25.51 million) capital injection for the UK company. Growth capital investor BGF recently took a minority stake in the English manufacturer, securing £19 million in equity capital to further accelerate growth.…
Warburton Manager Calls For MTB Industry Organisation
Warburton, Victoria Australia’s mountain bike industry has reached a level of maturity that now demands its own industry body, to effectively regulate the industry and collectively represent its interests, according to the project manager behind the recently approved Warburton MTB Destination in Victoria. The unprecedented campaign to gain approval for Australia’s first gold-level mountain bike…
How’s Business – May 2023
Welcome to our monthly conversation with bicycle shop owners across Australia and New Zealand. In last month’s How’s Business column, Leighton Thomas from Geraldton Bikes commented that he was spending a lot of time on warranty claims on new bikes that had various faults. He suggested that we ask other dealers if they were also…