COON VALLEY, Wis. (BRAIN) — Borah Teamwear is working with artist Michael Valenti for a new exclusive collection of custom cycling jerseys.

The designs, faithfully reproduced from three original Valenti cycling art prints, feature the Hoogerheide Cyclocross World Championships, Mount Ventoux from the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix. Each design is offered in men's and women's team jersey styles with matching art prints available from michaelvalenti.com.

"I have been a long time fan of Borah Teamwear, so naturally, I'm very excited they're bringing my art to the street," said Valenti. "Working with both the creative and production team at Borah has been a fantastic experience and I can't wait to start seeing Valenti Cycling Art on the roads everywhere."

All Valenti Collection jerseys are custom made to order from Borah Teamwear's Wisconsin headquarters. For dealer inquiries, contact Tad, at tadh@borahteamwear.com, or call 608-452-4167.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) — Velofix says it has passed the 50-franchise benchmark for its mobile repair business. With the recent sale of multiple franchises in Southern Florida, the comapny has now sold 55 locations and said it is on track to hit 100 by year's end.

"We've always believed that consumers would choose convenience and the highest level of customer service," said Velofix co-founder Chris Guillemet. "With over 55 franchises now sold, it is clear that the consumer values a direct mobile service. The number of customers across the United States and Canada who've shown us that they simply prefer taking advantage of premium service and direct delivery wherever it's convenient for them has been staggering. There's no question in our minds that Velofix will continue to grow rapidly and be a game changer in the retail bicycle industry."

Velofix launched its first mobile shop in January 2013 and has quickly grown to have representation in every major Canadian market as well as most major American markets (link to Velofix locations).

Besides repairs, Velofix operations offer sales of components, accessories and sports nutrition. Velofix franchises also offer fleet sales and maintenance, employee repair, and lunchtime learning sessions for bicycle safety and basic maintenance education for corporate clients.

ARTIMINO, Italy (BRAIN) — The historic Italian component brand 3T — which was bought last year by its president and CEO, René Wiertz, and Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen — is introducing its first bike, which may be the industry's first aero gravel road bikes, called the Exploro.

The company said it spent a year developing the bike, including tests at the San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel.

The comapny said the bike's "Sqaero" tube shapes offer real-world aerodynamic advantages, even with covered with mud. It said the frame's aerodynamics were developed for "realistic" speeds of 20 mph, with waterbottles, mud, and gravel or mountain bike-style tires.

The Exploro frame has a 50mm wide downtube that 3T said is optimal for picking up airflow coming off a the front tire and leading it on to the water bottles. The seattube is 25mm wide to make it aerodynamically disappear between the bottles and the rear tire. The headtube, seatstays and custom seatpost also use Sqaero shapes.

According to 3T, the Exploro saves 7 watts over the equivalent round tube frame (same tube widths, same frame details, same components) at 20 mph.

The Exploro 700c road and cyclocross tires or 650b mountain bike tires. The geometry features short, 415mm chainstays and the frame includes internal routing for cables, hydraulic hoses and an internal seat clamp. The FlipTop cable guide on the toptube comes in several versions to allow for mechanical and electronic shifting, with single or double chainrings. For mechanical shifting, the Exploro uses full housing for the rear derailleur to completely shield the cables from any dirt or debris.

The frame's Hang Loose Hanger for the rear derailleur detaches from the frame when the rear wheel is removed, which the company said makes it easier to re-install the rear wheel after a repair in the field.

The frameset, with seatpost and headset, is offered in two versions. The LTD version retails for $4,200; the Team version retails for $3,000.

More information: exploro.3tcycling.com.

SANDY, Utah (BRAIN) — Reynolds Cycling has promoted Travis Erwin, its current European general manager, to director of global sales. Erwin, who has been based in the Netherlands, will relocate to Reynolds headquarters near Salt Lake City for the role. Reynolds also announced that it has hired Alexander Mai as its manager of sales and marketing for Europe.

Regarding Erwin's promotion, Mike Dufner, Reynolds Cycling's CFO, said, "This promotion comes at a great time for the company. Our European presence is at a level we are happy with—getting Travis back to Salt Lake to oversee sales will help us maintain our growth and market presence as we move into 2017 with new product and technologies." 

Prior to joining Reynolds Cycling, Mai spent four years as the European sales and marketing manager for Lezyne USA Inc. In this role, he primarily focused on aftermarket sales and managed 31 accounts in 29 countries. Prior to his time with Lezyne USA, Mai was a territory sales representative in mid-western Germany for Fritz Wittich GmbH, representing brands such as Norco Bicycles and E-Thirteen components.

"I could not be more excited about my new role with Reynolds Cycling," Mai said. In his new role, Mai will address both aftermarket and OEM customers continuing to develop market presence in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Nick Ranno | Verde Brand Communications | nick@verdepr.com | 970.259.3555 x147

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — The Mann Group, a retail sales and management training firm, is repackaging its GEAR sales training for the bike industry. Previously the program was only offered in-store and cost $5,500 as Dan Mann, founder and president of Mann Group, would offer two full days of training in person at a retailer.

Now retailers can buy GEAR and implement it at their stores for $575.

"We've taken all of our materials and coupled them with podcasts. Now we don't have to come to a store. Our thinking is, we have enough stores that need help and it's prohibitive to get to all of them," Mann said.

"We've always felt we have to come in and do this [training] face to face. While I think that's best, a lot of people can't afford it or they can't take the time to do it," he added. "This is dirt cheap and shops can start implementing it tomorrow. We think it's pretty exciting and we've had an early good response."

The lower price includes a training manual for the owner of the business, a large poster that shows the step-by-step process for selling, and four 10-minute podcasts that walk staff through the selling process. "We're also planning to offer a monthly webinar for anyone that takes this course, free," Mann said.

Instead of an 8 to 20-hour workshop, the new GEAR training requires a 10-minute daily effort.

Retailers can purchase the GEAR sales training package at The Mann Group's website (http://the-mann-group-inc.myshopify.com/products/gear-bike-the-bicycle-retailers-sales-bible).

The Mann Group offers retail sales and management/leadership training in several markets including bike, outdoor, running, ski, flyfishing and photography. It also works with some bike brands on training and strategy planning.

DENVER — The Electric Bike Expo heads to Denver on Friday, giving consumers an opportunity to test ride more than 100 electric bikes from several exhibiting brands.

The Denver Expo will be at the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Attendance is free.

On Friday, Bosch and PeopleForBikes will host a "policymakers ride" from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. VIPs are invited to go on a group ride and learn about the planning and public health implications of e-bikes.

For more information or to RSVP, email Sarah Berman at Bosch, Sarah.Berman@us.bosch.com.

Several exhibitors are offering discount coupons on their bikes. Tempo will raffle off a bike to benefit a local charity, and Easy Motion will give away one of its bikes to someone who takes a test ride.

While consumers are not allowed to buy e-bikes at the Expo, exhibitors refer them to their local retailers. Some Denver-area e-bike retailers also will have booths at the Expo. The Expos have also been a draw for IBDs who want to learn more about e-bikes — and the people who buy them.

The Denver expo is the sixth stop on the Expo's national tour. Ray Verhelst, director of the organization that produces the Expo, said five earlier demos, in Phoenix, San Diego, Houston, Palo Alto, Calif., and Portland, Ore., have attracted more than 7,000 consumers.

Some travel long distances for the chance to test ride a range of e-bikes in one place. Verhelst said the Portland demo in June attracted IBDs and consumers from as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and Durham, N.C.

The organizers collect a wealth of data on attendees, which they say is valuable market research for exhibiting brands.

By the end of 2017, Verhelst said, "We will have collected extensive market research and ride reports from more than 50,000 consumers who have expressed detailed interest in electric bikes."

The Expo heads to Seattle on July 15-17, and then to Washington, D.C., Oct. 7-9, Atlanta, Nov. 4-6, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Dec. 2-4.

Organizers plan to host Expos in 15 cities in 2017.
To pre-register for the Denver expo, visit www.electricbike-expo.com.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (BRAIN) — During National Bike Month in May, Performance Bicycle and its customers raised $17,522 for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy via a combination of customer donations and matching funds from the retailer.

Throughout May, cyclists were invited to make an in-store or online donation of $1 to support the nonprofit's efforts to build, maintain, defend and connect trail corridors across the nation, with Performance matching up to $10,000 of all donations collected.

"We are thrilled to partner with Performance Bicycle to continue growing our network of active supporters," said Mary O'Connor, vice president of development and communications for Rails-to-Trails. "Performance Bicycle and its customers' generous contributions show their dedication to developing and growing local cycling communities and promoting healthy, active lifestyles."

"We are overwhelmed by the amazing support our customers have provided to Rails-to-Trails," said Chris London, Performance's community relations manager.

"Performance Bicycle keeps our customers on the move while Rails-to-Trails connects them, and our combined advocacy efforts work to create and maintain more safe places to ride and be active. We're proud to partner with Rails-to-Trails in achieving this goal on the national and local level."

GREENVILLE, S.C. (BRAIN) — Boyd Cycling has rolled out its 28 mm deep carbon clincher wheelset, available in disc or rim brake versions, with multiple axle configurations.

The tubeless-ready 28mm carbon wheels are built with a 25mm wide, rounded rim profile that makes it as applicable for cyclocross and gravel as it is for climbing. A new brake track features a textured surface for better braking.

In additional to lab testing, comapny owner Boyd Johnson, a former pro road racer, does much of his real world testing in the South Carolina mountains, on roads that have hosted U.S. cycling nationals. "A typical testing da will include riding the front brake the entire way down Paris Mountain to test and adjust resin formulas. And then we do it again, and again," he said.

The wheels include CNC-machined hubs made to Johnson's specifications. Boyd's hubs have some of the widest flange spacing available, creating a stiffer wheel. To further increase stiffness and stability the hub bearings were also moved out as far as possible on the axle.

The front hub can swap between a standard 110mm QR and a 15mm thru axle. The rear can be used with either a 135mm QR, a 135mm x 12mm thru axle or a a 142mm x 12mm thru axle.

The wheels feature Sapim CX Ray spokes and Sapim alloy nipples, in two different spoke count options: 20/24 or 24/28. The wheelsets are shipped with skewers, rim strips and Onyx Carbon Brake Pads. MSRP for the 28mm carbon clincher with road hubs is $1,500; with disc hubs it is $1,550.

More information at boydcycling.com.

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — The June 15 issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, landing in mailboxes and email inboxes this week, features our annual e-bike report, a 12-page package devoted to the fast growing market for electric bikes. The new issue also contains a look at bike shop employee compensation, including results of a recent poll of U.S. bike retailers on the subject.

E-bike report

The e-bike report includes a look at e-bike retailers in Portland, Oregon. BRAIN contributor Doug McClellan talks to several retailers in the bike-crazy city who specialize in e-bikes; he also talks to mainstream IBDs in the city who are getting into the e-bike market. McClellan found that even some e-bike retailers are tired of reading about the market's potential. They just want to get on with selling the bikes. 

Wake Gregg, for example, the owner of the EBike Store, said he finds the topic exasperating and outdated.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN)  — Interbike has signed up the Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue band to headline the Fall CycloFest festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The hard-edged funk group is the opening act for Daryl Hall and John Oates on their national tour.

Trombone Shorty began his career as a bandleader at the age of six, and toured internationally at age 12 before joining Lenny Kravitz' horn section at 19 for a 105-date world tour in 2005-2006.

In 2010, he released the Grammy-nominated "Backatown," followed in 2011 by "For True," which topped Billboard Magazine's Contemporary Jazz Chart for 12 weeks.

In January 2014 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performed at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert, Madonna and Queen Latifah, and the band has made guest appearances on “Conan”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and many more.

“Bikes, music and beer — that’s the foundation of what CycloFest is all about,” said Pat Hus, vice president of Interbike. “The combination of bike demos on the epic grounds of the U.S. National Whitewater Center, with fantastic local food and craft beer, and the addition of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue creates the magical formula for a successful event like none other. Attendance for the band’s performance last year at the USNWC’s Tuck Fest event was more than 7,000 people, and the venue anticipates similar numbers for Fall CycloFest.”

Shane Cooper of Defeet Socks will play in two of the planned opening bands, and he will also headline the industry night on Thursday, Oct. 20. Cooper’s first band, The Downtube Shifters, features a group of cycling musicians including Dave Lee (formerly of The Legendary Shack Shakers) and others. They will cover a variety of artists.

Cooper will also play on Thursday night for the industry crowd as part of his own ‘80s cover band, GRAFFITTI.

A limited number of booth locations are available and can be purchased through Interbike. Contact Andria Klinger, sales director, at Andria.Klinger@interbike.com or 949-226-5745 for more information.

MADISON, Wis. (BRAIN) — John Burke, president of Trek Bicycles, has authored a new book, “12 Simple Solutions to Save America,” which becomes available this week on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’s the second book by Burke, who released his first book on his father’s life in 2012.

Burke draws on more than three decades of business experience to offer a “no-nonsense approach to tackle the complex problems facing America,” according to a release. Burke began working at Trek Bicycle, a company his father started, in 1984. He became company president in 1997.

In the book, Burke addresses the nation's growing $19 trillion debt; simplifying an approximately 74,000-page tax code; dealing with the increase in global temperatures; and significantly reducing the risk of a nuclear war. He also offers solutions to reduce inequality, overhaul Congress and fix Social Security, among other topics.

“At my son's graduation from Marquette University, commencement speaker David McCullough challenged the graduates to do something for their country,” Burke said. “I took those words to heart and felt a need to look at problems facing our country and search for real, achievable solutions. Too often in politics, we look for complex answers when simple, bold solutions are what we really need.”

Burke has served as chairman of President George W. Bush's President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, and is a founding member of the Bikes Belong Coalition, now known as PeopleForBikes. Burke is an avid cyclist who has finished Ironman Wisconsin twice and completed the Boston and New York City marathons. He graduated from Boston University. He and his wife, Tania, live in Madison, Wisconsin.

For more on the book, go to www.12SimpleSolutions.com, follow 12 Simple Solutions to Save America on Facebook or email John at jb@12simplesolutions.com.

LONG BEACH, Calif. (BRAIN) — Pioneer Electronics USA’s Cycle Sports Division has unveiled Training Assist, a new feature on its SGX-CA500 GPS Cycle Computer to support athletes training with Pioneer’s line of Single Leg and Dual Leg Power Meters. 

Training Assist helps riders use their power meters through three structured training courses divided into 28 training modules. The program is applicable for riders of all skill levels and experience, including weekend warriors and those who would not consider hiring a coach but want to use a power meter more effectively to improve cycling performance. 

“We want to bring the use of power meter to people who wouldn’t have a coach to learn how to use this tool. Training Assist is a feature meant for people who would like to get more out of their ride but need somebody to teach them how to use it,” said Russ Johnston, executive vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Pioneer Electrics USA. “In most cases people would read a book or go on YouTube and search power meters. Our goal was to offer instructions and courses to train by so that somebody can use the power meter to improve hteir ride or get stronger quickly after purchasing it.”

The modules within each course are consecutive; each module builds on the previous effort/exercise. Users start with the fundamentals of bike training and work their way through basic to advanced training programs and power meter metrics. More experienced riders who already train with Pioneer’s power meters can take advantage of two additional features: Interval Timer for setting up personalized interval efforts and Threshold Training, which includes an MMP Challenge and FTP Testing.

“Power meters and training with power can be intimidating, particularly for cyclists who have no experience with a coach. Our new Training Assist feature breaks down our advanced technology and training with power into easily digestible modules,” said Johnston.  

Riders use the free mobile Cyclo-Sphere service to access Training Assist. The user first selects the training module to be performed, easily downloads the module to his or her Cycle Computer via built-in Wi-Fi, and then completes the power training exercise on the bike.  After the ride is complete, results are uploaded to Cyclo-Sphere, where ride data can be compared to what is expected, and the cyclist can see what he or she can do differently next time to improve. As riders progress in their power meter training, Training Assist offers advanced training courses and metrics utilized by experienced cyclists.

The three training courses consist of:

· Training Course (7 modules) – Start with the fundamentals. Learn key training and cycling terms and different types of training efforts/exercises.

·  Power Training Course (11 modules) – Power meter training 101. What power is, the different power metrics to evaluate in training, and different power meter training efforts/exercises.

· Pedaling Training Course (10 modules) – Most advanced course to maximize power training. Focuses on refining pedaling technique in a variety of efforts/exercises.

Seasoned cyclists can take advantage of advanced training tools including Interval Timer, which allows riders to create, name and set customized interval trainings for easy, safe and quick access while on the bike. In Threshold Training, cyclists have access to MMP (Mean Maximum Power) Challenge, a maximum average power benchmark training session in which riders challenge themselves in one minute, three minute, five minute, 10 minute and 20 minute time durations. In Threshold Training, cyclists are also able to perform FTP (Functional Threshold Power) Tests in 20 or 60 minutes increments.

The Training Assist program is a free firmware download.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (BRAIN) — Parts and accessories brand Serfas is the latest to join The Bike Cooperative's growing network of supplier partners. Effective immediately, members of the retail co-op will earn rebates on their purchases of all Serfas-branded products.

Bike Cooperative supplier relations manager Bill Heins said, "Adding a very strong brand like Serfas as a new preferred supplier partner is a big win for our member retailers. At the same time, The Bike Cooperative is looking forward to helping grow the business of a brand that has a long history of supporting the IBD."

Brent House, Serfas' national sales manager, added, "We are very excited to both open new doors and deepen current-dealer discounts with the industry-respected members of The Bike Cooperative. As we broaden our product assortment with the introduction of an exciting new lineup of lights, launching this new relationship with The Bike Co-op while simultaneously bringing ground-breaking new lights to the market is perfect timing. It's the ultimate win/win scenario for everyone!"

ASHLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Fat Chance Bicycles, which returned from a long dormancy at the 2014 Interbike show, is now looking to build a small IBD retail base alongside its consumer-direct sales program.

Fat Chance launched a Kickstarter campaign soon after that Interbike show, offering supporters a chance to buy a new edition of the brand's legendary Yo Eddy steel hardtail frame. The company raised $130,000 in the campaign and completed its frame shipments to supporters in March this year. The frames were designed by Chris Chance and produced in partnership with California's Ventana Cycles.

The company announced at this year's Sea Otter Classic that it was bringing back its Slim Chance road bike frame, which will be made by Stinner Frameworks in Santa Barbara, California. The company also is planning a lower-priced hardtail model to complement the Yo Eddy, which retails for $1,700.

Chris Chance, based in Sausalito, California, has brought on Alex Palmer as a managing partner. Palmer is the former general manager of Canyon Bicycle's U.K. operation. He is based in Ashland, Oregon.

Palmer told BRAIN this week that the company hopes to begin work with a modest number of dealers covering several U.S. regions. Ideally the dealers would be those that specialize in sales of custom bikes.

"We'll run this alongside direct-to-consumer sales via our website, to give customers the option — if they have a dealer nearby they want to purchase through, great. Or if they are somewhere without a dealer or would prefer to buy direct, it's up to them," Palmer said.

"Having direct customer contact has been really important with the relaunch, so we can engage directly with many of the longtime Fat fans, listen to their comments, suggestions, etc. And it's important we continue with that."

Chance said many former Fat Chance dealers from the brand's glory days have contacted him since the relaunch.

"We're loving all the direct contact with our customers and will continue to work in that channel," he said. "We also know some customers will be better served by working with a dealer. ... We're small and growing fast and we want to give customers every option to buy our frames and bikes wherever they are."

Via its webpage, Fat Chance is surveying potential dealers about their interest in selling the brand and their needs for pricing, inventory levels and other issues.

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — Polar Bottle has decided to donate all proceeds from the sales of its limited edition Rainbow Pride water bottle to a fund supporting the victims and families of last weekend's shooting in Orlando, Florida.

Polar had released the bottle on June 1 to mark the start of Pride month. 

"It was the first time that, as a company, we showed our solidarity with the LGBT community. We hoped the colorful bottle would allow our customers to do the same ... Today, supporting this community has became more important than ever," the company said.

Polar will donate all revenue generated from the Limited Edition Pride Bottle to the Equality Florida Fund. The insulated, U.S.-made bottle retails for $15.99. Direct donations can also be made through the Pulse Victim Fund GoFundMe Page.

There's more information on the bottle on the Polar website. 

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Settlement talks have apparently stalled between the Moab retailer Poison Spider Bicycles and the California-based offroad vehicle supplier Poison Spyder Customs.

The bike shop is suing the offroad vehicle brand, which is owned by Tap Manufacturing, alleging trademark infringement.

According to court filings, in early May a Utah magistrate judge granted a one-month extension to a deadline for Tap to respond to the bike shop's complaint, which the shop filed in February. Lawyers for both sides had requested the extension to give them time to negotiate a settlement.

Any settlement talks were apparently unfruitful, however, because Tap Manufacturing filed its response on May 30, denying all of the complaint's claims. In addition to denying the claims, Tap asserted that the bike shop waited too long to make its complaint about the alleged infringements, which the company said are now barred by the statute of limitations. Tap also said that there have been no real damages incurred by the bike shop as a result of any infringement.

Both sides have previously declined to comment to BRAIN about the suit.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. (BRAIN) — Ibex Outdoor Clothing has hired Scott Parr to lead its sales team as vice president effective immediately.

Parr has an extensive background in the outdoor, sporting goods and sport specialty industries, which began in the mid 1990s when he founded Great Lakes Outdoor Group where he spent nearly a decade as the sales manager and principal representative. Parr has served as VP of sales for the Dorel Apparel Footwear Group as well as director of sales for JanSport. Most recently, he managed GLSG Sales Management & Consulting, a consulting firm that he founded.

The company said Parr's initial focus at Ibex will be to energize the domestic wholesale channel. 

"Scott's personal and professional passions align with Ibex extremely well. He has shown us his ability to create a strategic perspective for himself and Ibex. We are excited to get him involved with all of our wholesale relationships," said Ted Manning, the CEO of Ibex Outdoor Clothing.

Parr said, "I've always been a fan of the Ibex brand for its authenticity and commitment to producing premium quality products. Once I had the opportunity to meet the Ibex team, I realized what a great opportunity this was and look forward to contributing to the brand's future success and growth. It's a very special culture and organization with a lot of potential for growth. I'm thrilled to be a part of it!"

An avid triathlete, cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, Parr has completed numerous marathons, triathlons and bicycle races. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Nuun & Ccompany will provide hydration education and product support at the REI Outessa Summits, three-day women's events to be held in Lake Tahoe in August and near Salt Lake City in September.

The events offer outdoor adventures led by female guides and athletes, access to gear and products, food and wine, and a variety of lodging choices. Nuun will be on site to expand on the REI Outdoor School curriculum to lead sports hydration seminars, including a personalized three-part hydration test for all participants. Nuun products will be provided and served on site.

The three-part testing protocol involves an activity-based sweat test, urine analysis that measures 12 physiological biomarkers and a total body water percentage test. Nuun has provided the testing at events including the Ironman Triathlon World Championships and the Boston Marathon.

"Through the REI Outessa Summit, we are offering women the opportunity to try something new and experience some unforgettable outdoor adventures," said Julia Stamps Mallon, co-founder and VP business development of Eventus Outdoors, the company behind REI Outessa Summit. "We are excited that Nuun is joining us to educate our participants on how to hydrate so they feel their best all weekend long and throughout their outdoor adventures."

More information on the REI Outessa Summits at outessa.com. 

LEXINGTON, S.C. and LÉVIS, Quebec (BRAIN) — Hawley-Lambert has laid off 13 staff from its Lexington offices as it continues to integrate both companies and finalizes the transition of back-end functions to Lévis, Quebec. Sylvain Caya, president of Hawley-Lambert, said multiple reasons led to the cuts including restructuring, softness in the market and in some cases, performance issues.

Of the positions that were eliminated about one third were transitioned to Canada, including finance, accounting and payables; the other two thirds were due to softness in the market and performance driven, Caya said.

"As a company, something that has not been communicated over the past 18 months is that right now, most of the back-end functions are in Canada, such as finance, and IT, and this is the final step for transitioning some functions," he said.

"As part of this restructuring we've got an aggressive growth plan," he added. "Some of Pat McGinnis' (recently named vice president of commercial) first priorities will be to leverage the new SBS acquisition and the launch of Blackburn, which we signed as the U.S. fulfillment distributor two weeks ago, as well as leveraging the new Northeastern distribution center in Pennsylvania. We have a lot of big projects going on and Pat in his new role, which he starts June 20, will be there to leverage those projects."

Caya said so far this year, sales have been strong in Canada, but soft in the U.S. since the beginning of the year.

"We've seen the results of that recently with SRAM and Specialized laying off people," he said. "I would say we're all in the same boat. When we talk to other vendors, it's been a soft market so far this year."

Hawley-Lambert employs 225 people in North America including its sales force.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (BRAIN) — Boyd Cycling has hired Aspekt Brand Communications as its agency of record for the U.S.

Aspekt, headed by industry veteran Suzette Ayotte, will support Boyd Cycling's current and new wheelset categories and will lend support with marketing initiatives. "We excited to be working with Aspekt and Suzette," company founder Boyd Johnson said, "because we've seen first-hand the invested effort and the results that follow."

Boyd Cycling was founded in 2009 by husband and wife team, Boyd and Nicole Johnson, and initially encompassed frames and wheels. In 2011 they put all focus on wheels. Last month the company moved into a 10,000 square foot building on Greenville's Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 21-mile multi-use greenway. They were recent recipients of the South Carolina Export Business of the Year Award.

Based in San Francisco Aspekt specializes in public relations and brand building with smaller, niche brands.

Ayotte said, "Boyd Cycling is a perfect fit for Aspekt. We each do what we do from a business standpoint because of our shared passion as individuals for the industry, the lifestyle and the bicycle."