¡@ 1.Dorel acquires cannondale bicycle ¡@¡@Montreal, February 4, 2008---Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.A, DII.B;) today announced it has acquired the Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high-end bicycles. Headquartered in Bethel, Connecticut, Cannondale has facilities in Bedford, Pennsylvania as well as offices in Canada, Switzerland, Holland, Japan, and Australia. Widely regarded as the bike industry's leading innovator, Cannondale's handcrafted bicycles have won numerous design awards and are sold in over 70 countries. The purchase also includes Sugoi Performance Apparel. Sugoi products are used worldwide by runners, cyclists, triathletes and fitness enthusiasts who demand the best apparel available. ¡@¡@The total value of the all-cash transaction will be US$190 to US$200 million, subject to Cannondale's earnings results for the year ending June 30, 2008. The transaction, which will be immediately accretive to Dorel's earnings, is being financed through debt. Cannondale and Sugoi are being purchased from an affiliate of Pegasus Capital Advisors, which acquired the company in 2003. 2007 sales for Cannondale and Sugoi were approximately $200 million. ¡@¡@A clear strategy for the IBD category ¡@¡@Dorel President and CEO, Martin Schwartz stated that in light of the acquisition the Company's Recreational/Leisure segment is being split into two distinct operating divisions. A new Dorel Independent Bicycle Dealers (IBD) division, the Cannondale Sports Group, is being created and will focus exclusively on this category with premium-oriented brands. Backed by Dorel's extensive resources, the Cannondale Sports Group will build on Cannondale's strengths to grow significantly within the IBD channel. "Our intention is to build a world-class company that dealers will want to buy from," said Mr. Schwartz. ¡@¡@Pacific Cycle will become a stand-alone division with an exclusive focus on mass merchant customers. ¡@¡@"The Cannondale purchase is consistent with Dorel's plan to concentrate on its core businesses. Since buying Pacific Cycle in 2004 we have learned a great deal about the bicycle industry and have found it to be a true value driver for Dorel. We are committed to pursuing this sector, and this important transaction will position us globally in a most material way. Dorel recognizes the importance and potential of the Independent Bicycle Dealer channel and is purchasing Cannondale as the first step to become the world's number one IBD player. Cannondale will be the crown jewel of this new Dorel division, which will seek additional such growth opportunities." ¡@ 2.Accell Group acquires Ghost in Germany ¡@¡@Heerenveen, 27 February 2008 - Accell Group N.V. signed an agreement pertaining to the acquisition of all shares of Ghost Mountainbikes GmbH (¡§Ghost¡¨). Ghost is an international top brand for high quality moutain bikes and racing bicycles. The company is based in Waldsassen (Germany), and booked turnover of around £á 25 million in 2007. The company is active in the higher segment of the market for sports bikes (mainly mountain bikes and racing bikes). Ghost sells its products in its German home market through an extensive dealer network. Additionally, its bikes are exported to a number of other European countries. The acquisition will be financed through an extension of the current bank facilities. Consolidation will be effective as from 1 March 2008. The current Ghost management will remain in place after the takeover. It is expected that the acquisition will make an immediate contribution to Accell Group¡¦s earnings per share. ¡@ 3.John Burke Dreams Of A Bicycle-friendly World 2007/3/29 ¡@¡@Trek President John Burke recently spoke at the Tapei International Cycle Show in Taiwan, China about the future of the bicycle industry. While acknowledging the importance of product development and marketing, Burke pointed out that the real key to the bicycle¡¦s future is developing bicycle-friendly communities, and ultimately, a bicycle-friendly world. Citing sobering statistics regarding current and future worldwide trends regarding obesity, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and rising energy costs, Burke emphasized that the time is ripe for the industry to focus its energies on bicycle advocacy by lobbying local, state, and federal governments to increase and improve bicycle access. The bicycle, arguably the most efficient mode of transportation every created, is uniquely positioned to provide a simple solution to many of the world¡¦s most difficult problems. ¡@¡@If you'd like to hear and see John Burke's presentation, Carlton Reid, editor of BikeBiz.comand Bikeforall.net, posted a video of John Burke¡¦s talk and PowerPoint presentation on his podcast site quickrelease.tv. A PDF version is also available to view. here ¡@ 4.CHINA CYCLE 2007 ¡@¡@CHINA CYCLE 2007 (The 17th China International Bicycle & Motor Fair) will be held during May 4-7, 2007 in Shanghai New International Expo Center. The show will reach 92000 square meters. Welcome peoples from the bicycle industry to visit the show. ¡@ 5.HB Performance Systems Inc. Acquires Answer Products ¡@¡@Mequon, Wis. (Nov. 10, 2006) ¡V HB Performance Systems Inc., a leader in the design, manufacture and sales of non-automotive custom-engineered brake systems, has acquired the assets of Answer Products Inc., of Valencia, Calif., a company that produces AnswerTM and ManitouTM brand bicycle suspension forks, shocks, bars and stems. An agreement was reached on Nov. 3. Details of the sale were not disclosed. ¡@¡@Rhonda Kirkwood, vice president and general manager at HB Performance Systems, will manage the new acquisition renamed HB Suspension Products, under the company¡¦s Hayes Bicycle Group division. The Hayes Bicycle Group currently manufactures HayesTM Disc Brakes and Sun RingleTM wheels, rims and hubs, and will include WheelsmithTM spokes and wheel building services in its product line soon. ¡@¡@HB Performance Systems is in the process of developing a business transition and integration strategy for this latest acquisition. Details are expected to be announced in early 2007. The Manitou brand name will be retained. ¡@¡@Answer Products is the third acquisition of HB Performance Systems and its bicycle division in the past 16 months. HB Performance Systems purchased Sun Metal Products in July 2005 and is completing a deal with Wheelsmith Fabrication Inc. that was finalized in September 2006. These acquisitions followed the June 2005 management buyout that created HB Performance Systems Inc., formerly Hayes Brake. At that time, President and CEO Rand McNally stated that the management team had plans to grow the company and acquisitions were a part of that strategy. ¡@¡@¡§Bringing together complementary businesses that offer premium brands to the bicycle industry is part of our strategy in growing the Hayes Bicycle Group division.¡¨ said McNally. ¡§These first three acquisitions do that.¡¨¡§As an engineering performance company with 60 years of experience in design and manufacturing, HB Performance Systems delivers a superior level of engineering expertise and product manufacturing excellence, which it will now do for Manitou products,¡¨ McNally added. ¡@¡@Answer Products was founded more than 30 years ago. Its principal product line is technically advanced suspension forks utilizing air, hydraulic, or coil spring damping systems. ¡@¡@HB Performance Systems and Answer Products are not recent acquaintances. The two companies have had a business relationship since 1997 when they worked together to create a high- performance mounting system for brakes on a bicycle¡¦s fork. It became known as the 74 Post Mount and is one of two ways most disc brakes are mounted today in the bicycle industry. The two companies also joined forces and developed fork and disc brake testing procedures that became the foundation for the current industry test standards. Chris Smith, director of global sales & marketing for HB Suspension Products (formerly with Answer Products), believes this is a good move for the bicycle industry. ¡§The ability to design brakes, wheels and suspension components simultaneously, with the focused vision of improving compatibility and performance, allows for the development of truly innovative product,¡¨ he said. Hayes Bicycle Group was formed in 1997 and entered the bicycle market with a disc brake under the name Hayes Disc Brake. It followed the same breakthrough design and performance strategy of its parent company at the time (Hayes Brake). The revolutionary products that this group introduced set a new standard for hydraulic bicycle disc brakes worldwide. ¡@¡@In 1997, Hayes Disc Brakes were sold through three U.S. and six international distributors. In 2006, 120 worldwide distributors provide Hayes Bicycle Group products to customers in more than 50 countries. More than 200 worldwide bicycle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are supplied by Hayes Bicycle Group. Its products are well known and respected in the mountain bike market. Hayes Bicycle Group provides products for all segments, especially freeride, gravity and recreational. ¡@¡@HB Performance Systems Inc. was started in Milwaukee in 1946. Since 1969, the corporate headquarters has been located in Mequon, Wis., where it employs 350 people in its 155,000 square foot modern manufacturing facility. It also has an additional 50,000 square foot facility in Milwaukee where Sun Ringle? North American operations are based, and manufacturing and sourcing facilities in Taiwan and China. It uses a lean enterprise system for manufacturing and assembly, and is supported by ISO 9001:2000 quality controls and the latest Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP) techniques. The company¡¦s many years of experience and development in the field have led to a comprehensive range of products for recreational, construction, agricultural and military vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, as well as other types of mobile and stationary equipment. ¡@ 6.More trade show space for exhibitors ¡@¡@Friedrichshafen, Germany ¡V Exhibitors at international bicycle trade show Eurobike and European trade show OutDoor will soon have more exhibition space. A clear majority of municipal council members have approved plans to expand Friedrichshafen¡¦s exhibition grounds. At a cost of 50 million Euro, Messe Friedrichshafen will add two open, column-free exhibition halls, a new East Entrance, as well as additional parking lots located in the immediate vicinity of the exhibition grounds. ¡@¡@Plans to expand Messe Friedrichshafen by 15,000 sqm to 85,000 sqm ¡V for a total of 12 halls ¡V will put the international trade show venue on the shores of Lake Constance among Germany¡¦s ten largest. ¡§The decision lays an important foundation for the continued commercial and strategic success of Eurobike and OutDoor,¡¨ claims Rolf Mohne, CEO Messe Friedrichshafen, about the expansion approval. ¡§It allows us to continue our successful efforts.¡¨ The Eurobike international Trade Exhibition, which has grown substantially since the establishment of the new exhibition grounds, will require additional space in the future. The OutDoor trade exhibition has also experienced significant growth. According to Stefan Reisinger, Project Manager of OutDoor and Eurobike, excellent conditions are now in place for the continued growth of the two leading international trade shows. The plan provides for the construction of two new exhibition halls ¡V A7 and B5 -, each 6,300 sqm in size, and the new construction of the East Entrance, along with related service facilities and conference space. ¡@¡@The Hamburg architectural firm Gerkan, Marg & Partner, which undertook the planning of the new trade show grounds in Friedrichshafen, is currently working on the expansion plan. Featuring arched roofs and colonnaded walkways, the new structures will be consistent with the existing venue¡¦s essential form, and will complement the building ensemble on the venue¡¦s east side. The new, column-free exhibition halls will be connected by a central entry and exhibition area. ¡@ 7.Maxxis on Taiwan¡¦s Top 10 Global Brand List for 4th Straight Year ¡@¡@In a sign of the continuing success of its brand strategy, Maxxis has been named one of Taiwan¡¦s Top 10 Global Brands for the fourth year in a row. The company ranked sixth on the prestigious 2006 Interbrand list, and received the award at a ceremony held September 27. Maxxis was one of only four non-high tech companies to make the list, and the only one of Taiwan¡¦s many tire companies to achieve top ten ranking. Interbrand compiles its annual list by evaluating thousands of companies, basing its rankings on factors including brand strength and earnings attributable to the brand. Maxxis¡¦ brand is worth an estimated $270 million US according to Interbrand. Maxxis works to increase brand recognition and earn brand loyalty through a strong sponsorship program, outstanding customer service and the delivery of high-quality products. Maxxis is honored by this recognition. The company extends its thanks to more than 15,000 Maxxis employees around the world. Their hard work and dedication to excellence are the foundation of the Maxxis brand. ¡@¡@2006 Taiwan Top 10 Global Brands ¡@Ranking Company; Brand Value (US $100 million) ¡@¡@1¡@Trend Micro¡@11.27 ¡@¡@2¡@ASUS¡@10.81 ¡@¡@3¡@Acer¡@8.70 ¡@¡@4¡@Master Kong¡@4.12 ¡@¡@5¡@BenQ¡@.09 ¡@¡@6¡@Maxxis¡@2.70 ¡@¡@7¡@ZyXEL¡@2.61 ¡@¡@8¡@Giant¡@2.55 ¡@¡@9¡@Johnson¡@2.54 ¡@¡@10¡@D-Link¡@2.53 ¡@ 8.Eurobike Makes Move to U.S. Market in Challenge to Interbike ¡@¡@OCTOBER 31, 2006 -- FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)¡XInterbike has competition. The organizers of Eurobike, Germany¡¦s premier trade show, will launch a competing event in Portland, Oregon, next September challenging Interbike¡¦s long dominance as the only show in the U.S. market. Messe Friedrichshafen, Eurobike¡¦s owners, have met with Portland officials who will support efforts to bring retailers and exhibitors to the West Coast city. Erich Reiss, a long-time consultant for the Messe who lives part-time in nearby Hood River, is the driving force behind the Messe¡¦s board of directors¡¦ decision to launch a competing show. ¡§We will offer absolute quality,¡¨ said Reiss, a 24-year veteran who led the launch of Eurobike. In addition, the new show will feature a two-day outdoor demo either at nearby Ski Bowl or at a venue near Hood River. Hood River was the site for the former Gorge Games. Ski Bowl, about an hour¡¦s drive east of Portland, is a full-service mountain resort with lift access for bicycles, lodging and trails. It also has an outdoor Adventure Park. German managers say the time is ripe for a new event. There is growing discontent with Las Vegas as a venue among exhibitors and retailers and the Messe hopes to capitalize on it, they say. Rolf Mohne, the Messe¡¦s managing director, said the Portland event will be organized along the same lines as Eurobike, The Oregon Convention Center, a non-union facility, has room to host the show, a nearby international airport, a mass transit system and it lies astride Interstate 5, a major north-south freeway. Dates for the new trade show have yet to be set, but it will be held sometime in mid-September. Reiss also has yet to hire a U.S. team to manage the show but hopes to make an announcement soon. ¡@ 9.Bush's legacy, Iraq war on line in U.S. elections ¡@¡@Polls opened at 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT) in some areas of the eastern United States and will start to close at 6 p.m. EST (2300 GMT), but it could be hours before results are known in many crucial races. ¡@¡@ ¡@¡@Bush cast his ballot in Crawford, Texas, joking that he had "pretty much" made up his mind. ¡@ 10.SRAM Taiwan Stamping Facility Fire Destroys Presses, Tools ¡@¡@OCTOBER 25, 2006 -- DALI, Taiwan (BRAIN)¡XSRAM¡¦s stamping facility in Taiwan experienced a fire on Oct. 14, destroying all presses and tools. The facility fabricates chainrings for Truvativ cranksets. ¡@¡@According to SRAM¡¦s vice president of sales John Nedeau, the fire¡¦s cause is unknown. ¡§Preliminary, it was thought to have started in an adjacent building not owned by SRAM,¡¨ Nedeau said. The fire didn¡¦t affect SRAM¡¦s Truvativ assembly facility in a different location, Nedeau added. ¡@¡@Nedeau said the stamping facility burned completely. He didn¡¦t yet have a damage estimate. ¡§Fortunately, we can build tools rather quickly,¡¨ he said. ¡§And we have other stamping equipment available in our other facilities and with our supply base to handle the production.¡¨ Sampling parts from new tools will begin next week, Nedeau added. ¡@¡@The majority of October¡¦s chainring production wasn¡¦t affected. There is a possibility, however, that some early November orders will be delayed, according to Nedeau. ¡@¡@It¡¦s still too early to determine the fire¡¦s commercial disruption. ¡§We are communicating the delays as proactively as possible, so [dealers] can make alternative plans if required,¡¨ Nedeau said. ¡§In the long run, I see it as having a short term impact, being resolved in one to two months.¡¨ ¡@ 11.First Ever Interbike Industry Roundtable at the 2007 ¡@¡@First Ever Interbike Industry Roundtable at the 2007 ¡@¡@Bicycle Leadership Conference Shares Survey Results and Provides Insight into Tradeshow Decision-Making Process ¡@¡@ ¡@¡@Show Director Lance Camisasca shares Interbike 2006 survey results and leads industry roundtable discussion ¡@¡@ ¡@¡@SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. ¡V February 14, 2007 ¡V As a part of the tenth annual Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), Interbike hosted a breakfast presentation titled "Guiding Our Future" on Tuesday, February 6 at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego, California. Show Director Lance Camisasca shared post-Interbike survey results and directed roundtable discussions with close to 200 industry supplier, retailer and advocacy leaders in an effort to share key decision criteria and generate recommendations for future show timing and event locations. ¡@¡@"We are thrilled that such an overwhelming majority of retailers and exhibitors were pleased with last year's event," Camisasca said. "The BLC roundtable recommendations confirmed our survey results that there are varied opinions in the industry as to where and when to hold the show, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The differing opinions are moving closer to an industry consensus." ¡@¡@After providing more than 3,000 usable email addresses to Boulder Sports Research, 18 percent of both attending retailers and exhibitors completed the Interbike 2006 Retailer and Exhibitor Survey. Notable survey results include: ¡@¡@When asked to rate their experience at Interbike, 94 percent of retailers were satisfied or very satisfied, and 86 percent of exhibitors were satisfied or very satisfied. 69 percent of retailers would prefer Interbike to be held between September 1 and October 31, with their first choice being the first week of October, followed by their second choice of the last week of September. ¡@¡@64 percent of exhibitors would prefer Interbike to be held between September 1 and October 31, with their first choice being the last week of September, followed by their second choice of the first week of October. ¡@¡@When asked to identify which city would best suit their business needs, 61 percent of retailers chose Las Vegas while 50 percent of exhibitors chose Salt Lake City, Utah. During Interbike's breakfast presentation, Camisasca shared with BLC attendees the survey results and some key market criteria to consider when selecting a show venue. For example: ¡@¡@Contiguous available square footage needed for exhibiting, meeting and networking, A large and diverse selection of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options conveniently located to the events, An international airport located near the event that is serviced by a variety of carriers, which offer many flight options and low airfare rates, An OutDoor Demo site with great weather, extensive cross country/downhill trails and a closed road loop, and Relaxed labor union regulations and high quality services. After sharing this information, Camisasca asked those seated at half of the tables to discuss the question of whether to move the show to Salt Lake City or remain in Las Vegas. He asked them to choose one of the locations and to present three supporting arguments to support their choice to the audience. The other half of the tables were assigned to discuss the question of show timing. They were to choose between holding the show in late September or early October and present their decision with supporting arguments to the audience. ¡@¡@Results of the roundtable discussion closely matched the results of Interbike's online survey, and comments from the BLC Interbike breakfast roundtable were positive and helpful. ¡@¡@"Interbike's presentation was huge in that they came to the industry in an open way and shared the dilemma of how to schedule and choose a host city," said Dale Brown owner of Cycles de Oro in Greensboro, North Carolina. "Salt Lake City sounded nice in many ways. It would be a great place for the OutDoor Demo, but nothing can match Las Vegas for the variety of accommodations." ¡@¡@"I was one of those who voted on Interbike's survey to move the show from Las Vegas," said Skip Swain NORCO's vice president of sales. "However, after hearing more about dealer support, the issues relative to choosing a venue and discussing those issues at the BLC roundtable, those of us at the table decided there was no compelling reason to move the show. Las Vegas has the necessary space for exhibitors to all be on one floor, and in response to industry complaints about the lack of cycling advocacy efforts in Vegas, keeping the show there provides the bike industry with an opportunity to put our mark on the city." ¡@¡@"Although we have some industry differences in opinion, mainly relative to the event's future location, the time spent together did yield some pearls for us to review before making any final decisions," concluded Camisasca. "We are very grateful to the NBDA and the BPSA for allowing us the opportunity and forum to bring such important event topics to the leaders of the bicycle industry." ¡@¡@The Bicycle Leadership Conference is jointly presented by industry non-profit groups, the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) and Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA). The event focuses on the facts and figures of the bicycle industry while building on the important networking opportunities and exciting special events. ¡@¡@Those interested in receiving a copy of Interbike's BLC presentation, please contact Chip Smith at csmith@soarcomm.com. It will also be available on Interbike's website, www.interbike.com, on March 1. ¡@¡@About Interbike ¡@¡@Interbike, produced by Nielsen Business Media, is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Finishing its 25th successful year, Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,000 cycling-related brands and more than 21,000 total attendees annually. ¡@¡@The next 25 years of Interbike start with the OutDoor Demo in Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, Nevada, September 24-25, 2007 and the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 26- 28, 2007.