BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The four-session Supplier Seminar Series presented by the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association at Interbike features a new focus on three industry hot-button issues: the 25 percent additional tariffs on Chinese-made bikes and bike-related products, the U.S. Customs "de minimis" level, and counterfeiting.
Specialized's Bob Margevicius, BPSA's Safety Committee chair, has testified against the tariffs and pushed for a decreased de minimis level in Washington, DC. last month. De minimis is the minimum cost of goods coming into the U.S. that are subject to tariffs; the current de minimis level is $800. ASI's Pat Cunnane recently testified in favor of a flat $50 to de minimis imports from China.
"Several industry leaders have stood up for the industry in a coordinated BPSA and PeopleForBikes campaign to push back against these disastrous tariffs," Margevicius noted. "And our unusually high de minimis level places U.S. suppliers at a distinct disadvantage." Margevicius points out that the de minimis in Canada is $20.
Rich Tauer of QBP, and Andrew Kempe of Shimano American also are joining the "What's Going On" seminar, which is 1 p.m. Wednesday. That seminar is designed to identify the source of recent industry declines and offer concrete solutions.
Here's the full SSS schedule, open to all badged show attendees"
What's Going On? There's no single factor in our recent industry challenges. How can we innovate beyond them?
1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 A2 meeting room
- Bob Margevicius, Specialized
- Rich Tauer, QBP
- Andrew Kempe, Shimano
- Moderator: Ray Keener, BPSA
Statistics: What do we know about our consumers and the flow of product? How can this help us?
2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 A2 meeting room
- Dirk Sorenson, NPD Group
- Jennifer Boldry, PeopleForBikes
- Bernie Doering, Stages Cycling
- Moderator: Ray Keener, BPSA
Getting More Kids Riding: Laying the foundation for lifelong ridership is key to our industry's future. Who's making progress here?
10:30 a.m. Thursday Sept. 20 C4 meeting room
- John Munhall, Giant Bicycles
- Ryan McFarland, Strider
- Brandee Lepak, Global Bikes and NBDA
- Moderator: Pat Hus, Bravo Sports
E-Bikes: One of our industry's bright spots. How do we keep charging ahead in sales and legislative progress?
1 p.m. Thursday Sept. 20 A2 meeting room
- Larry Pizzi, Raleigh Electric
- Ed Benjamin, Light Electric Vehicle Association
- Claudia Wasko, Bosch eBike Systems
- Moderator: Morgan Lommele, PeopleForBikes
