SAN CARLOS, CA (BRAIN)—Ritchey Design has hired Ming Tan as its new general manager. He’ll be responsible for the Ritchey Design and Syncros Applied Technology brands in North America.
“Ritchey’s past and present leadership has created a great framework to define and achieve its business goals and forge strong relationships in the IBD channel,” Tan said.
Tan replaces former Ritchey Design General Manager Steve Parke who resigned from his position earlier this year. Parke now works as Advanced Sports’ director of sales.
In his 14 consecutive years as an industry professional Tan has worked in a variety of capacities including sales, product development, product management, merchandising and senior management. Tan comes to Ritchey Design from Look Cycle USA where he was the vice president and general manager for nearly four years. At Look Cycle USA Tan was responsible for all aspects of the company’s business in the United States and held profit-and-loss responsibility.
Before joining LOOK Cycle USA Tan was the director of marketing at Ritchey Design from 2005-2006 for the Ritchey Design and Syncros brands.
“I’m returning to Ritchey with added management experience and a deeper understanding of the bike business, and I’m confident I will be able to add to the team’s business savvy and perspective,” Tan said.
Ritchey Design’s search criteria for the general manager position included management experience within the bike industry in all phases of the business and appreciation for Ritchey Design’s corporate culture, including management style and staff loyalty. "It is clear that Ming’s investment in Ritchey Designs’ brands and management skill set will make him an asset to our team,” said John Frechette, chief operating officer for Ritchey Design. “We are very comfortable with this appointment knowing that Ming understands and shares our corporate values and our ethical standards.”
Look Cycle International marketing manager Arthur Espos said that the company is no hurry to fill Tan’s position. “Ming established a strong management team,” Espos added. Espos said he’s now back in Look’s U.S. office on a permanent basis to take over the marketing side of Tan’s duties.
Espos said Look’s business is up from last year as the company’s new Keo 2 Max and Keo Blade road pedals are hot sellers.
“As soon as they’re in, they’re out,” Espos said of Look’s new pedals.
For more on this story be sure to read the April 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
—Jason Norman
