FORT COLLINS, CO (BRAIN)—Panda Bicycles has hired “Action” Pat Hegedus as its second frame builder and Rebecca Dodge to support its growing dealer business as merchandize and marketing director.
“By bringing on these two great teammembers, I am able to focus my attention on sales and strategic growth initiatives of the company,” said Jacob Castillo, co-founder of Panda Bicycles and a frame builder there.
Panda Bicycles offers steel lugged bamboo frames that are hand crafted in Fort Collins. The company began reaching out to dealers shortly before Interbike and its current small dealer network is scattered across the country from Houston to Seattle to New York.
“People are just more comfortable buying bikes from shops and we want to do what we can to make it easy for dealers to work with us. That could be flexible payment schedules or the ability to order one bike, and I think our dealer margins are competitive,” Castillo said.
“Bamboo is becoming recognized as a legitimate frame building material, and it really offers a unique ride. We think with our superior style and design, and being made one at a time right here in Fort Collins will appeal to some shops and their customers,” he added. Complete builds for Panda’s single speed model, The One, start at $2,299.
For further information contact Castillo at (970) 372-2123 or jacob@pandabicycles.com.
