HEERENVEEN, Netherlands (BRAIN) – Accell Group N.V. said longtime chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors, René Takens, will step down April 25 at the general meeting of shareholders. The decision was taken my “mutual consent,” according to a press release issued by the company.

Accell Group N.V. is the parent company of Raleigh, Diamondback, Haibike and other bike brands.

“Now that the outline of our refined strategy is becoming more and more clear, this has created a natural moment for me to hand over the reins to this wonderful company,” said Takens, 62. ”I believe it would be good for this strategy to be implemented under new leadership. It has been my privilege to lead Accell Group for 18 years and I believe this is a good moment to end this period. Although I will remain involved in the company for the time being, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues for the successful cooperation over the years.”

Accell’s supervisory board has begun the search for his successor. Hielke Sybesma, Accell’s CFO, and the other members of the board will lead the implementation of the strategy until the new CEO is appointed.

Takens will remain involved in the board until the shareholders meeting and will act as an advisor to the company after that date to facilitate a smooth transition.

“We are grateful to René for his commitment and dedication to Accell Group over many years,” said Ab Pasman, chairman of the supervisory board. “Under René’s leadership, Accell Group has grown into a leading multinational with 3,000 employees and turnover of a billion euros. Our company is ready for the next stage in its development.”

HELSINKI (BRAIN) — Amer Sports' cycling sales, through its Mavic and Enve brands, were up 8 percent last year, to 150.2 million euros ($160 million), up from 138.5 million the prior year.

The uptick in cycling business was partly due to the inclusion of Enve sales in the figures. Amer purchased Enve in March last year for 48 million euros; it said Enve's 2016 sales since the purchase totaled 20 million euros. The company said that excluding the Enve sales, its cycling business was down 7 percent last year due to "difficult conditions in the cycling market." 

The cycling business momentum continued in the fourth quarter, where sales were up 9 percent to 38.2 million euros, compared to 35.2 million euros in the same period in 2015. 

Overall, Amer said its fourth quarter sales and operating profits were below expectations due to difficult market conditions and delayed launch of some sport instruments in its Suunto division.

In a brief financial bulletin on its results for October-December 2016 and the full year, the company said it would continue its restructuring program and cut expenses worth about 100 operating margin points in the next two years.

Net sales in local currencies were down 2 percent year-on-year to 772.4 million euros from 783 million euros in the same period in 2015.

The company said that in its winter sports and footwear businesses, Amer said its deliveries peaked earlier in the year. Besides the Suunto delays, some fitness product launches were delayed.

The company said it expects its 2017 net sales to increase, especially in the second half of the year. It said its five priorities remain Apparel and Footwear, U.S. sales, China sales, Business to Consumer sales, and digitally connected devices and services.

FARMINGTON, Utah (BRAIN) — Vista Outdoor Inc. sales hit $654 million in its fiscal quarter than ended Jan. 1, a 10 percent increase. The growth included sales from new acquisitions made last year; when those new sales are removed, the company saw a 5 percent decrease in sales.

Vista completed its purchase of BRG Sports' Action Sports division, which includes Bell, Giro and Blackburn, last April. 

Vista Outdoor's business is roughly divided in two: its "Outdoor Products" segment includes the forner BRG brands, plus Bolle, CamelBak and Jimmy Styks, a standup paddleboard brand. It showed a sales growth of 24 percent in the quarter, to $293 million, including the new businesses. Organic sales in that segment were down 15 percent. Vista's "Shooting Sports" segment includes several brands of ammunition and firearms. Its sales were up just over 1 percent in the quarter, to $361 million. Gross profit was down 6 percent in that segment. 

A Vista shareholder is suing the company over allegations that it misled investors about its financial condition prior to the announcement last month that it would take an impairment charge of $400 to $450 million. 

The company did not release specific sales figures for its bike-related businesses in its earnings release.

"Vista Outdoor is committed to delivering long-term growth through the execution of our strategy and a focus on new product development, operational efficiencies and execution excellence," Vista Outdoor chairman and CEO Mark DeYoung said in the release.

"The challenging retail environment we experienced in our first and second quarters worsened in our third quarter following a slow hunting season and the national elections. This resulted in the need for increased promotional activity to support sales and maintain market share. We have also seen increased inventory in our retail and wholesale channels. As a result of these market factors, we announced a non-cash intangible impairment charge. Although we are disappointed in the impairment within the Hunting and Shooting Accessories reporting unit, we continue to drive improvements in our execution and innovation in our product lines. The company launched more than 150 new products during the winter show season. We have created market leading positions in numerous outdoor product categories, and we are committed to delivering long-term value from our portfolio of top brands."

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Giant USA has announces a promotion to its sales department, a transition to its quality assurance department, and the hiring of two new demo tour contractors.

Two of the transitions involve the father-daughter pair of Melissa Maresca and James Maresca.

Melissa Maresca has been promoted to be an inside sales representative. She's been with Giant since 2011, most recently as quality assurance lead. "Melissa has proven herself in multiple roles in her career at Giant," said Allen Needle, Giant sales operations and inside sales manager. "The combination of desire to find solutions for our retailers and consumers, as well as her passion for our brands and for cycling, make Melissa a great asset to the inside sales team."

"My four years in QA assisting our retailers has been the best training for this promotion to the Sales team," Melissa Maresca said. "I was in bicycle retail for five years before joining Giant, so sales runs through my blood. I love this opportunity to move into a new role where I can help our retailers succeed."

James Maresca has transitioned from Giant inside sales, where he's spent the last decade to quality assurance after sales technician. Jeremy Combs, Giant USA's quality assurance manager, said, "James is an extremely valuable addition to our QA team. He brings experience, technical knowledge, and passion for problem-solving that will instantly raise our level of service to our retailers and customers."

James Maresca, said "The QA department is the next level for me to offer up my 40-plus years of industry knowledge to our staff and retailers. My passion has always been the mechanics of the bicycle; I'm a card-carrying member of the PBMA! I've shared 10 years with Giant Inside Sales and enjoyed what I accomplished with the team. I've always collaborated with Quality Assurance over the years, and I felt it was time to transition to QA. And, no, I didn't step aside so Melissa could step up – it all just worked out that way. I'm so very proud of her!"

Giant and Liv have also brought aboard two new Demo Tour representatives to work with retailers at store events. Outdoor industry veteran Sarah White is the new Liv Event Specialist contractor  for the West Coast.

Sam Littlefield is the new Giant Field Tech Rep contractor for the West Coast.

TEMPE, Ariz. (BRAIN) — Pivot Cycles has launched the Phoenix Component System, which includes handlebars, stems, grips, seatposts, and saddles.

"These components work as a system to maximize steering accuracy, while providing just the right amount of shock absorption and vibration damping to help eliminate rider fatigue, especially on long descents and in endurance situations" said Chris Cocalis, Pivot's president. He added, "to make sure that every size rider benefits from this system, we offer a wide range of bar width and stem length options."

The stems and handlebars use the 35mm clamp diameter for stiffness, while the carbon layup of the rest of the handlebar is optimized for vibration reduction.

The Phoenix WTB PadLoc grip system includes a vibration-reducing pad at the outside of the grip. The Phoenix grip design includes ultra-soft durometer, dual compound material in a deep hexagon pattern that provides the comfort of a larger diameter grip with small grip control.

The comapny said the engineered carbon layers of the Phoenix Team Seatpost allow for about two times the flex in the fore-aft axis as is found in standard post designs for added comfort for endurance cross-country racers and hardtail riders.

Phoenix Team stems are 3-D forged out of 7050-T6 aluminum. The Enduro / Trail stem comes in 35, 45, 55, 65mm sizes and the XC / Trail stem is offered in 60, 75, 90, 100, 110mm sizes.

Phoenix Team Carbon handlebars are available in three widths - 740, 760, 800mm widths with 40mm of cut length on each end (up to 80mm total).

The company said its testing protocol goes beyond industry standards, including a series of six tests for the handlebar, stems and seatposts.

The new components join Pivot's existing line of customized WTB saddles – the Hightail, Vigo and Volt.

More information at pivotcycles.com/components. Phoenix components are available through Pivot dealers, will be included standard on Pivot complete bikes and can be purchased on the Pivot Cycles online store.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (BRAIN) — Tern's new 451 Verge family of bike feature new larger wheels, new more stable geometry and the latest single chainring drivetrains with wide-range cassettes.

The 451 Verge familyuses 451mm/22-inch wheels, rather than the 20-inch 406mm wheels used on other Tern models. The larger wheel size creates a higher top gear, carry more momentum and are more comfortable than 405, while still offering a compact size and good accelleration and handling, the company said. 

The larger wheels add to the size of the folded bike, but allow a smaller chainring, which helps reduce the folded size.  "Overall, it's an even trade- off in size, but a huge boost for performance, said Joakim Uimonen, design director of Tern.

Tern is also making use of new wide-range cassettes from SRAM and Shimano, which make it possible to spec' a single-chainring bike with the same gear range as a double.  "A 1X has always been an ideal configuration for small wheeled bikes, because it reduces maintenance, weight, and complexity, but now it's better than it's ever been. With a 420 percent gear-range, the flagship Verge X11 boasts a wider gear-range than many standard- issue touring bikes in the industry, without any complication or hassle," the company said.

Tern's new T-Tuned geometry is based on experiments that began during the development of Tern's long-haul Verge Tour. The new Verge design boast a longer wheelbase, tweaks to fork rake and head tube angle, and a slacker seat tube.

More information at Ternbicycles.com

PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — Advanced Sports Enterprises, the owner of ASI and Performance Bicycle, is realigning key staff in its product development department.

Ellen Johnson will take on the role of ASE's director of product development while James Peters will become director of special projects, according to Pat Cunnane, CEO of ASE.

Johnson, a 30-year industry veteran has been a senior product manager for the company for three years. Now she will lead the bicycle product development activities for the company, which owns Fuji, SE, Kestrel, Breezer, Oval Concepts and Tuesday Cycles.

"Along with a vast network of contacts, Johnson possesses technical knowledge and experience in product development across multiple top-level brands," the company said.

Peters, who has been directing product development at the company for six years, is now director of special projects. His main task in the new role is global e-bike development for the company.

"E-bikes are a growing category worldwide where ASE has a significant opportunity for expansion and growth," said Cunnane.

The ASE product team will report to Johnson with both Peters and Johnson reporting directly to Cunnane.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (BRAIN) — Two longtime employees have bought Velo Orange from the brand's founder, Chris Kulczycki.

Igor Shteynbuk and Adrian Nelson purchased all of the assets of Velo Orange and its associated brands, Grand Cru Components and Dajia Cycleworks.

Nelson said Velo Orange will continue with its current business model and sales channels, while seeking to increase its market presence and create innovative products that adhere to the classic aesthetic. "That's what Velo Orange is about: offering a wide assortment of parts that look as great as they function," she said.

Nelson and Shteynbuk each have long resumes of domestic and international bike touring, Velo Orange's main niche.

Shteynbuk said, "We're extremely excited for this opportunity. Going forward, Velo Orange will continue producing unique products that have one foot in the classic realm while adhering to modern prototyping, testing, and production procedures. Velo Orange will also strive to build closer relationships with our dealers, distributors, customers, and suppliers."

Kulczycki founded Velo Orange in 2006 to import products from Europe and Japan as well as produce accessories under the brand name. As sources for NOS products dried up, Velo Orange expanded into designing and producing private label racks, handlebars, fenders, frames, and other components.

Kulczycki said, "Velo Orange has always been and remains a very successful and profitable enterprise. It's a company that I'm proud of. It's also a company that I enjoyed building and growing, very much so. I also enjoyed hanging with the VO staff, who are the best group of folks I've ever worked with. Best of luck to Adrian and Igor."

On his blog, Kulczycki said he sold the company so he could retire — again. He originally founded Velo Orange as something of a retirement hobby but it turned into a real business, he said.

More information at velo-orange.com.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — At this weekend's Frostbike dealer event at QBP, Ritchey Design is auctiong a P29 Ritchey frame that was welded by Tom Ritchey himself. The auction's proceeds will go to the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.

Ritchey built the frame for the 2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. It features a unique non-production color way.

"We're happy to support this and donate what we can," says Fergus Liam, Ritchey's U.S. marketing manager. "QBP is our largest distributor and customer, and we have been longtime supporters of NICA. A benefit like this makes sense and feels good to help out these two organizations."

The auction started Saturday and will end during the closing ceremonies of Frostbike on Sunday. Details on the listing are on eBay. 

CORTEZ, Colo. (BRAIN) — Decades after retiring from professional road cycling, Inga Thompson is returning to the sport to work on women's advocacy and other projects. She will be represented by Mission Sports Group, a Colorado firm that recently announced it was representing retired mountain biker Ruthie Matthes.

"When I was racing I always wanted an advocate just for the women, whatever scope that was. I never felt like we had somebody," Thompson said. "Twenty-five years later, there's a really good movement going by two groups in Tucson, Arizona. Mission Sports Group is continuing to do its part to promote the women in our sport.

"I see the women in cycling coming together and thought I could help be one of the people that creates that tipping point. I'm sure there are others who have been out of the loop, but who want to be involved in promoting women in the sport. There are a lot of people starting to rally around the women and I want to be a part of that movement. We need to keep this forward momentum and not let it stall out."

Thompson made the 1984 Olympic team after only three months of road racing. She retired in 1993 as a 10-time national champion, three-time Olympian and a two-time podium finisher at Tour Cycliste Féminine (Women's Tour de France). She was running up at the World Championships three times. Following her retirement, she returned to her family's 160-acre horse-powered cattle ranch in Oregon where she still lives to this day. The ranch raises beef and Friesian horses and is run solely by Thompson and her son, Tyler.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) — The League of American Bicyclists board has appointed longtime staff member Bill Nesper as interim executive director following the departure of Alex Doty as executive. In a letter to members Monday from board chair Karen Jenkins, the League said Doty, who was executive director for 16 months, has stepped down to pursue other interests.

Nesper has been with the league 14 years, starting as a membership assistant and progressing to his most recent position as deputy director. 

"The opportunity to lead the League through this transformative time now brings me full circle, and I'm excited to work with our excellent members, staff and board to chart a path forward," said Nesper.

The board has begun a search for a permanent executive director. 

BOISE, Idaho (BRAIN) — Bill Christensen, a former product manager for Answer Products, Shimano and Santa Cruz and a former writer for Mountain Bike magazine, died Sunday at 39.

Christensen was known as a brilliant, principled, funny and opinionated writer who occasionally got into trouble with employers for those reasons. He left Santa Cruz in 2008 and has worked as a consultant and freelance writer since then from his home in Idaho. He also had a blog, churchofbrokendreams.com.

His father, also named Bill, told BRAIN on Monday that Christensen died suddenly of unknown natural causes. He said an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. Christensen is survived by a wife, Jen, and several children from Jen’s first marriage, his father said. The family has not announced memorial plans.

Even though he left his last full-time job in the industry nine years ago, Christensen remained well known across the mountain bike world. Jasen Thorpe worked with him at Mountain Bike in the early 1990s.

“When I was working with him Bill was just shining so bright. He was smart, sarcastic and cynical … I’m thankful for the chance to work with him, but I feel robbed that we didn’t get to see who he was going to be,” said Thorpe, who owns a Colorado marketing firm.

Industry designer Andy Holmes worked with Christensen years ago at the Supergo retail chain in California and kept in touch with over the years. "He was quite hilarious," Holmes told BRAIN. "If he had an opinion about something you knew it; he would let you know what he thought and not always in the most diplomatic way."

Friends have started a GoFundMe page to help Christensen’s family with medical expenses and funeral costs.

LUGANO, Switzerland (BRAIN) — Effetto Mariposa Sagl has established a new minimum advertised pricing policy that will take effect March 1. The policy sets the MAP at the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

"Effetto Mariposa has unilaterally determined that our interests and the interests of our valued dealers are best served through the adoption of a minimum advertised price policy," said owner Alberto De Gioannini. "The policy allows our dealers to confidently stock and promote Effetto Mariposa products and to preserve the image and the value of the Effetto Mariposa brand," he continued.

Effetto Mariposa will periodically update its MSRP and MAP pricing for distributors and wholesalers. The MAP price policy applies to all forms of printed or digital advertising, printed or online catalogs, displays and all other forms of advertising. For any questions related to this policy, contact Tom Petrie, Effetto Mariposa's USA sales agent at 970-282-1880.

Effetto Mariposa is distributed in the USA by Cantitoe Road, ProNet Cycling, and Quality Bicycle Products. For more information about Effetto Mariposa visit effettomariposa.com.

OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Shimano's worldwide bicycle-related sales slumped 17.4 percent in the company's fiscal 2016 to 259,455 million yen ($2.27 billion), while operating income in that segment declined 27.5 percent, the company announced Tuesday.

The company's net sales were down 14.7 percent, exceeding the 8 percent drop for the year that the company forecasted last February and slightly exceeding the 14.2 percent decline the company forecast in releasing its first half results in October and re-iterated after its first three quarters. Shimano's sales were up 14 percent in 2015, but quickly declined in 2016, when bike sales were down 20 percent in the first quarter.

In a typically terse summary of financial results for 2016, the company outlined the conditions that led to the year-end results:

DENVER (BRAIN) — Haibike is recalling some of its 2014, 2015 and 2016 model year bikes over concerns that the suspension forks on the bikes could repture or break prematurely. 

The recall affects XDURO Race, Superrace and XDURO Urban e-bikes. The company said the voluntary recall is a precautionary step based on internal testing of the Haibike-manufactured fork used on the bikes.

The following models have been recalled:

• Haibike XDURO Urban (2014 and 2015 models)
• Haibike XDURO Urban RC (2016 models)
• Haibike XDURO Race (2014 and 2015 models)
• Haibike XDURO Superrace (2014 and 2015 models)
• Haibike XDURO Race S RX (2016 models)
• Haibike XDURO Urban S RX (2016 models)

"The safety of consumers is our highest priority." said Susanne Puello, managing director of Winora Group, Haibike's parent. "We perform extensive endurance tests at independent testing centers and some of our testing criteria are above the CPSC, ISO or EN normal standards. The results of recent tests led us to believe a recall was necessary.

"We are certain Winora Group's careful planning will make for a smooth recall and hope to have our valued consumers back on their Haibikes as soon as possible," Puello added.

Haibike has informed its dealers of the recall. Consumers are being told to stop using the bikes immediately and to visit the company's website for more information.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — Garneau Custom clothing is now available through Quality Bicycle Products, for retailers looking for custom shop or team apparel.

"Garneau Custom offers the same great Garneau styles customers are used to, with a fully customizable look," the company said. "In keeping size, quality, and branding consistent, retailers will feel as good about carrying Garneau Custom as their customers will feel wearing it. Plus, QBP keeps ordering simple."

Garneau's sales director, David Cathcart, said, "Dealer feedback about Garneau's availability at QBP has been overwhelmingly positive. We're excited to extend access to our Custom apparel collection for 2017."

MANCHESTER, N.H. (BRAIN) — Headband manufacturer Halo has joined The Bike Cooperative as the retailer co-op's newest supplier partner. Effective immediately, member retailers of The Bike Cooperative will earn rebates on purchases of all Halo Headband products, both direct and through distributors.

"Halo Headband is the leader in headband technology, and provides relief to all levels of cyclists," said Bill Heins, supplier relations manager for The Bike Cooperative. "Halo is a brand that has been around since 2001, and has been built by cyclists for cyclists."

Halo Headband's founding partner Nick Holslag added, "We are excited to be a preferred supplier for The Bike Cooperative. The partnership will give our products greater visibility to quality independent retailers across the nation."