Industry News

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum that took effect Thursday apply to bicycle chains, some bike cables, perhaps some locks, and a wide variety of hardware and other products that are used in bike shops and by manufacturers.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwanese manufacturer Merida Industry Co., which owns 35% of Specialized Bicycle Company, recorded a non-operating loss of over $100 million related to that investment in 2024, as the U.S. bike brand took a deferred tax loss and write-downs on its retail operations.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Giant Group reports that its operating profits declined 60% last year as it wrote down NT$1.9 billion ($57.6 million) in inventory provision losses, recognizing the decline in inventory value due to discounting.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Rad Power Bikes named Kathi Lentzsch its new CEO. She comes to Rad Power from Bartell Drugs, where she was CEO from 2018 to 2020.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (BRAIN) — One of Vietnam's largest importers for the domestic market would welcome reciprocal tariffs with the U.S., if they led to a new trade deal and reduced Vietnam's current high import duties on U.S. products.

PITTSBURGH (BRAIN) — Dick's Sporting Goods reported net sales slightly increased year-over-year in the fourth quarter, while full-year net sales rose 3.5%.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Rad Power Bikes announced that CEO Phil Molyneux will leave the brand and also confirmed its sixth workforce reduction, with this round affecting its direct-to-consumer sales staff as it continues to pivot more toward Rad Retail and local bike shops.

PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — Nearly 5,000 people attended the Philly Bike Expo on Saturday and Sunday at the Philadelphia Convention Center, with show director Bina Bilenky saying the show is returning to pre-COVID numbers.

A version of this feature ran in the March issue of BRAIN.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our March magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What are your top strategies and biggest obstacles when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff?

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — China’s Zhonglu Co, through one of its subsidiaries, has acquired a 21% share in Factor Bikes while a private equity firm that includes Factor CEO Rob Gitelis also has made an investment. Together the two entities have acquired a majority share in Factor from exiting non-management shareholders, the company told BRAIN.

PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — The Philly Bike Expo began as a show catering to the custom framebuilder, but it evolved into a gathering of the whole bike industry with large and small brands mixing with single-person frame, paint, and manufacturing shops.

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Rep. Linda Sánchez on Tuesday introduced legislation to close the de minimus loophole that allows the duty-free importation of packages valued at under $800.

DULUTH, Ga. (BRAIN) — Continued inventory “recalibrations” in the global industry and uncertainty about consumer and bike-maker demand has Fox Factory executives cautiously forecasting flat sales in its bike-product segment this year.
WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday that he will impose an additional 10% tariff on imports from China, on top of the 10% he announced earlier this year.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (BRAIN) — A program to help global cycling startups get established — and possibly do business in Arkansas — has chosen 10 participants for its first year.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (BRAIN) — Helmet industry veteran Greg Shapleigh has been named chairman of HighBar, which launched a helmet retention system last year with Canyon.

BERINGEN, Belgium (BRAIN) — Belgian Cycling Factory has acquired mountain bike brand Nukeproof from Frasers Group. Nukeproof — currently unavailable in the U.S. — will re-enter the U.S.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany (BRAIN) — Porsche eBike Performance GmbH announced Tuesday it will build a battery production facility in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia, that will open next year.

OLATHE, Kan. (BRAIN) — Garmin reported record consolidated revenue for 2024 buoyed by a year-over-year 23% increase in the fourth quarter that was led by Fitness segment sales.
