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Issue:Bike Market Update e-Newsletter
Date:2009/12/28
Wheel Giant News !
- The Most Complete and Accurate Bicycle Buying Guide You Must Have -TBS!
- The Best And Only Consumer Marketing Tool In Greater China
Latest News
- Distinguished Guests Abound at the TBW Dinner Party
- RideOn Taiwan Day
- Will Taichung Bike Week replace the Taipei Show?
- Funn's even More Complete MTB Line
- KMC's Attractive and Practical Colored Chains
- Alan Nordin of NuVinci Pleased with Taichung Show
- WTB Launches TCS Dual-function Tires and Wheelsets
- Tien Hshin opening attracts the World!
- Strategic Alliance between KMC & TAYA
- Inauguration of Youn Live's New Plant and 25th Anniversary Celebration
Season's Greetings
Wheel Giant News !
- The Most Complete and Accurate Bicycle Buying Guide You Must Have -TBS! ...Top
Taiwan Bicycle Source (TBS) & Pocket Issue is the comprehensive purchasers' guide to the Taiwan bicycle industry. It is leaner and meaner, with a unique icon index. We also have compiled the new TBS E-BOOK- all the information you rely on from TBS can be found in this convenient E-BOOK. Just visit our website and download the TBS E-Book free of charge. http:www.biketaiwan.com Our Taiwan Bicycle Source is a professional and experienced guide. It is the sole TBEA-approved guide to Taiwan 's bicycle industry. To make our guide more effective, we have analyzed all related information in the bicycle field and presented it in an easy-to-read format for every Taiwanese or other business person concerned. It enables readers to do business with more confidence. You can now search for your required manufacturer by name, product or location while simultaneously scanning the relevant matching product listings.
Our Taiwan Bicycle Source now enjoys an added boost from Wheel Giant's extensive marketing network which has been established over many years, along with its active trade show presence, and outstanding relationships with foreign trade magazines. This directory is certainly the best and the biggest advertising vehicle for the industry, and unquestionably gives firms the most bang for their advertising buck. We are extremely grateful for all the support received from the global industry and the Taiwan bicycle industry's confidence in Wheel Giant. We sincerely welcome any recommendations for improvements to Wheel Giant's publications. Wheel Giant intends to do its best in future to serve the bike industry in general. Our corporate stability, broad publishing channels, professionalism, and dedicated service are at your disposal.
- The Best And Only Consumer Marketing Tool In Greater China ...Top
Aiming at the cycling public and consumer bicycle market in the Greater China region, Wheel Giant introduced a trial issue of the recreational cycling magazine Cycling Update in December 2001. This multifaceted consumer magazine features bicycle repair DIY, health forms, competition activities, and profiles of ultimate bicycles, etc. Cycling Update encourages people to go outdoors, experience nature, and enjoy the fun of bicycling. After its formal launch in April 2002, Cycling Update has been distributed on a bimonthly basis throughout the Chinese-speaking areas of Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. It is currently the best and only consumer marketing tool of its kind in the Greater China area. Cycling Update is a periodical containing chiefly bicycle sports, outdoor recreation, and product information. Bicycle sports information includes world-class and Asian MTB and road racing reports, plus articles on how to train that provide correct knowledge to both neophyte and advanced riders. Bicycle recreation information includes introductions to routes suggested by local recreational cycling clubs and reports on bicycle travel in China and worldwide. Bicycle product information includes reports on newly- introduced products, advertisers' showcase products, and other in-depth product profiles, test reports, and product comparisons. see www.cycling-update.info
Latest News
- Distinguished Guests Abound at the TBW Dinner Party ...Top
Taichung Bike Week (TBW) has become the showcase of choice for parts manufacturers who want foreign product managers to see the newest products, and it's also a good time for manufacturers to look for inspiration for new products. In order to express its strong support for TBW, the Taichung City Government held a special dinner party on December 8 to welcome the many important TBW guests from Taiwan and abroad. The dinner was hosted by IDIPC Director Anna Wang, and Taichung Mayor Jason Hu was in attendance. Distinguished guests included Giant CEO King Liu, Merida GM Michael Tseng, Giant Greater China GM Young Liu, Velo President Stella Yu, FSA Europe GM Claudio Marra, and exhibitors from RideOn, First in Performance, and TBW. A total of 250 persons attended the dinner. Speaking on behalf of the city, Mayor Hu welcomed visited domestic and foreign bicycle industry personnel, and reiterated his support for TBW. In his comments, Hu said he hoped that everyone would relax, enjoy the food and drink, listen to the quartet playing at the dinner, and not forget to see the sights of Taichung. Steve Fenton and Katerina Rejchrtova, who played big behind-the-scenes roles in urging the Taichung City Government to lend its support and assistance to TBW, expressed their deep gratitude to the government for its strong backing and to Wheel Giant for its help. This year's TBW was the most successful ever, and the number of participants set a new record. In fact, many domestic and foreign industry figures who did not participate this year have indicated that they will attend next year.
- RideOn Taiwan Day ...Top
In order to ensure that assembly plants and trade companies in Taiwan were aware of the 2011 new products of RideOn brands, RideOn held a special Taiwan Day product announcement conference on December 8, and this event attracted more than 400 participants. The conference lasted from the morning to the afternoon, and was held entirely in Chinese. Participating brands included CrankBrothers, Fizik, Fox, FSA, Vittoria, Hayes, Hutchinson, Magura, and Mavic, who sent personnel and teams to give briefings on their products. In addition to a continuing search for novelty and lighter weights, the most notable trends included a more diverse array of colors and customization services to meet individual customer needs.
- Will Taichung Bike Week replace the Taipei Show? ...Top
TBW has been growing bigger and grander every year. The number of exhibiting parts and accessories firms grew by 25% this year as compared with last year, and the number of visiting foreign product managers grew by more than 10%. According to Marwi GM James Huang, TBW comes at a very appropriate time. Because Thanksgiving is during the last week in November, and Christmas is in the last week of December, TBW is at a perfect time for customers in Europe and the Americas. The fact that manufacturers were dispersed among four hotels is inconvenient for both the suppliers and buyers, however. TBW might be even better if it could be held in a single place. Because whole bicycle manufacturers generally draft their new product specifications at the end of the year and feel that holding the Taipei Cycle Show in March is too late, many firms hope that the show can be moved up to December. James Huang holds a dissenting view, however. According to Huang's thinking, the December TBW and the March Taipei Cycle Show have different purposes and positioning, so the different times are both appropriate. As far as Marwi is concerned, since December is the time for drafting specs, many R&D personnel will be in Taiwan during Bike Week. Since Marwi has to meet with them and discuss specs, it is not in a good position to deal with big crowds during this period. In contrast, because the March Taipei Cycle Show is more of a typical trade show, and the company knows sales figures for the previous year quite clearly, the Taipei show is a good time to negotiate order quantities and prices.
- Funn's even More Complete MTB Line ...Top
Funn participated in this year's TBW for the first time after its reorganization. Funn displayed its wares on the 3rd floor of the Tempus Hotel. Apart from flaunting its new brand image, it chiefly promoted its MTB parts, along with DH and XC parts. Its overall product line is now more complete than ever. Funn's current products are mostly aimed at the aftermarket, and it hopes that its participation in TBW will increase its percentage of OEM orders. Many participants were pleased that the Taichung Government supported TBW activities and provided many helpful resources, and feel that this strong backing suggests TBW has a bright future.
- KMC's Attractive and Practical Colored Chains ...Top
KMC has held its product conferences at the Tempus Hotel during the last few years. According to KMC Marketing Center Assistant Manager Deborah Wu, although the world is still in a recession, this year even more foreign customers attended TBW than in past years. Wu suggested that the poor business environment may have forced everyone to get out and search for opportunities. Wu also noted that KMC begins discussing specs with its major customers during the European and American cycle shows, and actively introduces its products to important customers. KMC arranges specs with customers requiring customized products at on earlier date. During TBW, KMC continues to introduce products and negotiate specs with product managers and purchasing personnel. During the Taipei Cycle Show, because most orders have already been determined, the company mostly negotiates prices or displays its mass market products. KMC's most notable new products this year included its lightweight Champion chains, which have become favorites among competitive riders. In addition, KMC has also introduced various colored chains, and even offers highly original chains with national flag colors. These chains' exquisite packaging and colors have already demonstrated tremendous appeal. The colored chains undergo special treatment to ensure ultra-strong paint adhesion. They are suitable for eight-, nine-, and ten- speed shift systems, and a year of testing under real conditions has shown that they can withstand 3,000 kilometers of use.
- Alan Nordin of NuVinci Pleased with Taichung Show ...Top
Many Taichung Bike Week attendees have had a lot of good things to say about the show, and NuVinci Bicycle Products Division President Alan Nordin is no exception. Nordin and the NuVinci crew were promoting NuVinci's new continuously variable transmission (CVT) for bicycles, even though the official product launch will take place at the Taipei Show in March. NuVinci's CVT technology, originally invented in a quest to break the bicycle land speed record, eliminates both gear steps and the loss of momentum riders often experience when shifting.
Nordin was very pleased with the assistance NuVinci received at Taichung Bike Week. "I wish it was all under one roof, but otherwise all the organizers have been very helpful." The show also fits the schedule of many product managers. According to Nordin, "The Taipei Show is great for retailers, but it always felt a little behind for OEM." Although he declined to go into detail, Nordin was enthusiastic about business prospects at the show. "The Taichung show is a great chance for small companies to meet OEM and product managers."
- WTB Launches TCS Dual-function Tires and Wheelsets ...Top
WTB was founded in 1982, and is well-known for its MTB brand product range including rims, tires, saddles and grips. WTB is a quite famous brand in the US market, and its next year's goal is to enter into the Asian and European markets.
This year, WTB has two major focuses: its latest TCS (tubeless compatible system) dual-function tire and its TCS wheelset. TCS dual-function tires are compatible with both ordinary tube and tubeless wheelsets.
WTB's Stryker, Laser, and Speed wheelsets are for tubeless tires, but also can be used with non-WTB tires. Johnny Weng of WTB stressed that WTB is one of a few brands that make both tires and wheelsets, so the products have better compatibility and complete size range. WTB also provides clear instructions to OEM manufactures and bike shops to allow them to assemble WTB products much more accurately.
Weng praised Taichung City Government efforts to integrate Taichung Bike Week, and had good things to say about the dinner party held on Dec. 8th for domestic and international industry people. A lot of PMs from complete bicycle manufacturers were also in attendance. It gave manufactures and clients an additional opportunity to communicate with each other personally, and effectively increased WTB's exposure rate.
- Tien Hshin opening attracts the World! ...Top
On Dec. 10th, during Ride On, FSA's opened its new Wufeng factory which was attended by many influential industry representatives. FSA President Yudi Wang emotionally thanked the kindness and support received over the years from many companies and individuals within the industry as well as all employees of FSA that has enabled FSA to gain an unrivaled international reputation for high quality products. Giant CEO Tony Lo encouraged FSA to continue developing its range of innovative products.
Michael Tseng indicated that FSA's foundation remains in Taiwan and to sponsoring teams such as Merida's European MTB team, whose success in part can be contributed to FSA's products. TBEA chairman Ying Ming Yang expressed his blessing toward FSA. Specialized executive vice president Bob Margeviciu praised FSA for being the philosopher of the industry.
The new facility is conveniently located for the Formosa Freeway and occupies 11,500 m2 and will enable FSA to further develop its "state of the art" manufacturing processes, allowing it to maximize current and future business opportunities; it stands as "shining beacon" for other companies wishing to emulate FSA's success.
FSA has a long and proud history dating back over 40 years, when Mr Jiang senior established TH Industries.
The event itself gave insight to the attention to detail that has made FSA a global brand, as guests and visitors where guided through the streets leading to the facility by employees; needless to say the event ran silky smooth and on time. It's this level of professionalism that enabled FSA to complete the building project within 1 year and transfer production form the old factory in just 8 days!
- Strategic Alliance between KMC & TAYA ...Top
KMC has the world's highest market share among chain manufacturers, and has also been a designated brand of championship teams and riders in the recent Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships. KMC operates plants in Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, and also boasts a global sales and distribution network. TAYA has consistently remained faithful to its production site in Taiwan, and has relied on its hard work and technological expertise to fend off the threat of low-price competition from China. The two parties have decided to establish a strategic alliance in order to pool their strengths and resources for the purpose of creating an even greater competitive advantage. In the first stage of the alliance, TAYA will provide production equipment and technology developed over the course of more than a decade for an all-new production line. This production line will help meet the demand created by KMC's steadily increasing sales. The alliance is only the first step to what the participants hope will be an even closer collaborative relationship in the future.
- Inauguration of Youn Live's New Plant and 25th Anniversary Celebration ...Top
After being in business for 25 years, Youn Live (Taroka) recently bounced back from a serious fire. Through the efforts of President Dewey Chen, his wife Lily Ueng, and the company's employees, Youn Live has built a new plan in Miaoli, and held an inaugural ceremony for the new plant and the company's 25th anniversary celebration on December 11. Miaoli County Chief Liu Cheng-hung and many bicycle industry figures attended this celebration. The new Youn Live plant occupies almost 7,000 square meters, and produces road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, small wheel bikes, and unicycles. Youn Live further plans to establish a dedicated painting shop and promote its "Taroka" brand in the future.
Season's Greetings
- You Are on the Way to So Many Wonderful Things in the Year to Come ...Top
Welcome to the New Year! I hope it will be the happiest you've ever known, and that it will be a year filled with dreams come true.
This is such a perfect time to think of wishes you want to turn into realities and goals you want to reach. It takes a lot to set your sights on a distant horizon and to keep on reaching for those goals. It takes a lot... of courage and hard work, believing and achieving, patience and perseverance, inner strength and gentle hope. It takes a lot of giving it your best and doing the fantastic things you do. But most of all...It takes someone as wonderful as you. - by Collin McCarty Wheel Giant wishes you all the best in the year to come! Happy New Year!!
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