Australian News Briefs: Factor Bikes Eyes Australian Expansion
Factor Bikes Eyes Australian Expansion
Factor Bikes is a very high end carbon bike manufacturer owned by American Rob Gitelis and based in Taiwan. Well known for sponsoring world tour teams including currently Israel-Premier Tech, Factor launched in Australia some years ago, but is now looking to expand their profile and distribution here.
With this in mind, they recently opened a new showroom and office at Port Melbourne which is in the inner southern suburbs of Melbourne. They’ve also expanded their team to include Miguel Crespo as National Sales Agent who advised us when we visited their showroom that they’re looking to expand their network of Australian dealers.
Factor is also making the Australian Track Cycling Team’s bikes for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
2024 Latz Report Yearbook Launching Now!
At the time of writing the 2024 Latz Report Yearbook is in its final stages of compilation and barring any last minute technical glitches, the flipbook version should be going live here by close of business on Friday 5th April.
On the same day, artwork for the print edition will be heading for the printer, then the print version will be sent free of charge to every Australian bicycle business and, subject to Australia Post, arriving on or about Friday 26th April.
I’d like to thank our team, Marli Older, Ed Price, Gary Wells and Tim Nightingale, who all did a great job in producing this year’s Yearbook which bigger than last year’s, thanks to increased support from advertisers, plus more companies being listed.
We have also devoted an unprecedented number of hours towards updating the mailing list both to pick up on any retailers who have either moved or new ones that have opened. Despite talk of bike shops closing down in these tough times, it appears that more have opened to take their place, because the overall mailing list is longer than last year’s.
We’re always open to suggestions about how to improve any aspect of the Yearbook including new product categories, so please feel free to contact us at any time.
Amy Gillett Foundation Closes
Amy Gillett was an Australian elite cyclist who was killed in Germany in July 2005 when a vehicle mowed down the Australian women’s team during a training ride.
In 2006 the Amy Gillett Foundation was created, and over the almost two decades since then, it has been best known for its ‘A Metre Matters’ campaign. Through this, after years of lobbying, every Australian state and territory has passed minimum safe passing laws, meaning that motorists must leave at least one metre of space when passing a cyclist. If they are driving at 60kph or over that increases to 1.5 metres.
In 2022 via then Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the AGF was awarded $6 million in funding to carry out a range of projects.
It was announced on 1st March 2024 that Shaun Matthews and Rachel Burdett of the firm Cor Cordis had been appointed as liquidators.
We have not seen the creditors list but understand that the AGF had debts of approximately $940,000. It appears that there was not attempt to trade out of insolvency and all staff were dismissed shortly after the liquidators were appointed.
In a letter to stakeholders, foundation chair Lisa Jacobs wrote that “regretfully, the board has concluded that ongoing operation of the foundation is no longer sustainable in the absence of new federal government funding”.
Apparently the AGF had been paid $4.5 million of the $6 million grant.
Australian Brand Scuvvers Gains Distribution Partnerships in USA and Europe.
Scuvvers, a new Australian brand that has developed and patented a range of deployable and sustainable car seat protectors, marks a significant leap forward in their international expansion with the announcement of strategic distribution agreements in the USA and Europe.
Launched on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland in mid-2023, Scuvvers has appointed Coast 2 Coast distribution as the exclusive distributor to bike retailers in the USA, while Sport Import GmbH will serve as their exclusive distributor in the European Union.
Scuvvers’ car seat protectors, made from 100% post-consumer recycled textile, offer durability, convenience and sustainability. Designed to stow behind the seat headrest, in the glovebox or in your kit bag when not in use, they can be swiftly deployed to protect car seats from sweat, sunscreen, and trail muck after a ride, ensuring a clean and comfortable journey every time.
Retailers in Australia and New Zealand interested in stocking Scuvvers can email Luke Dillon, Scuvvers’ Business Partnerships Manager, on luke@scuvvers.com