B2B & I.T. UPDATES
INTRODUCTIONS TO SOME 2013 BMX P&A FROM WTP, ECLAT, XPOSURE, FUSE & ALMOND Page 6
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GOODBYE NEIL
AFTER 28 YEARS, NEIL MERRY RETIRES FROM THE CYCLING BUSINESS As many of you may know, the CSG UK joint managing director steps down after 28 years in the bicycle trade. Neil joined his father at Hot Wheels in 1984, the end of the first BMX bike boom in the UK. He set about broadening the range of products sold by the family business to include scooters, skateboards and other action sports inspired categories.
to ride bikes. I have enjoyed working with so many different dealers, many of whom are family businesses in the same way as Hot Wheels began.
In 1989 Neil and his father Graham were joined in the family business by Russell Merry, and together the brothers accelerated the growth of the business, with Graham taking more of a back seat.
CSG UK will build on the firm foundations that Neil has helped to lay, with Russell continuing in the role of Managing Director and Mark Broughton promoted to Finance Director. Ian Wagman will be promoted to the role of Head of Sales with other opportunities and promotions possible across the Dorel Recreation/ Leisure UK business.
In 1989 Hot Wheels had a turnover of approximately £700,000, but had grown to almost £14 million and 26 staff when the business was sold to Dorel in 2009. Since then Neil and Russell, as Joint Managing Directors, have virtually doubled sales again to £27 million in 2011. Recently when asked to comment Neil said “We have come a long way from relatively humble beginnings in a lifestyle industry that I have enjoyed. The unique character of the bicycle industry has presented challenges, but also many opportunities. I have travelled extensively with my work both prior to the sale of Hot Wheels and subsequently in my role within the Cycling Sports Group, I have met many interesting people who will remain friends for life and I have been fortunate to travel to some fantastic locations
I now have the opportunity to find new ways to spend my time, much of which will be spent on my interest in historic motor sport with my wife Debbie.”
Jeff Weiss, VP International Sales, Cycling Sports Group said, “I have worked with the Merry brothers for many years when selling to Hot Wheels, helping CSG UK in its earliest days and more recently as a point of contact in our USA offices.” “I know that I speak for all of Dorel Recreational/Leisure Division in wishing Neil all the best for the future and recognise he will be a success with his hobbies, interests or any future business ventures. Neil and I both know that the UK is in safe hands with Russell and the new management team which will see CSG UK go from strength to strength”
GT RACING UK 2012 SEASON REVIEW By Chris Hughes GT Racing UK Team Manager 2011 saw GT Racing UK compete in a fantastic first year for the team, which saw one rider crowned National Champion for Scotland, another winning the Scottish XC Series, a BMBS round 3rd place, numerous regional wins and top performances at the home World Cup and throughout the British Mountain Bike Series. The 2012 season proved to be even better! The team switched to all new 2012 Carbon Fibre GT Zaskar Custom Bikes with 29” wheels to compete with the best our competitors have to offer. They were also supplied new race kit from Scottish cycle clothing manufacturer Endura, with new sponsors in the way of Accellerade nutrition, Lezyne tools, Schwalbe tyres, SRAM gearing & brakes and Mavic for wheels, as well as continuing support from Muc-Off, Eyewear Outlet, FUSE and Crank Brothers. Continued on Page 18