CHICOUTIMI, Quebec (BRAIN) — Canadian bike maker Devinci Cycles is planning a bigger push into the California market. The company recently signed on a sales agency in San Diego that will provide six reps to cover the territory.
Devinci is also planning to have a demo van specifically for the state, which is in addition to its demo van for the Pacific Northwest.
"We will have a co-op program for every Devinci shop to help them create a Devinci zone in their store," said David Régnier-Bourque, Devinci's marketing director.
He also noted that Devinci is offering shops a brand ambassador program to help them generate interest for the brand and is introducing some clothing like shop shirts and POP materials at certain volume buy-ins for dealers.
Devinci offers three ordering periods for dealers instead of requiring one large preseason buy. With high-end aluminum manufacturing of its Split Pivot suspension bikes in Chicoutimi, the company is able to ramp up production to fulfill demand year-round. Bikes can ship from Canada for delivery within seven days, or from a warehouse in Grand Prairie, Texas, to arrive within three days.
"We don't have a structured business right now in California, and we're investing more into the territory," Régnier-Bourque said, adding that Devinci is also looking to add a sales agency for Northern California soon.
Devinci currently has about 150 dealers in the U.S. The California demo van will be stocked with Devinci's mountain line, as well as some gravel and road models.
"California is the most important territory in the U.S., "said Maxime Lamirande, sales director for Devinci. "We started (our push in the U.S.) where we had good agencies — in the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. And in the Pacific Northwest, our brand is recognized. Now we'll have two demo vans on the West Coast and dealers will have greater access to Devinci."
