INTERNATIONAL

from Bikefortrade 07/08-2022

GRAVEL SENZA LIMITI SULLE DOLOMITI

PORSCHE VENTURES INVESTS IN LAKA

KASK & KOO APPOINT CHIARA VITALI AS SALES MANAGER NORTH AMERICA

Laka, eMobility insurance company, has secured funding from Porsche Ventures, bringing its Series A investment to $13.5 million. Laka said in a press release that the new capital and network opportunities will be used to help its European expansion in eScooters, eMopeds, and eventually electric cars to better serve European partnerships, including manufacturers, retailers, and leasing businesses. The funding is led by Autotech Ventures and Pon Holdings' Ponooc Investment B.V., which focuses on sustainable energy and mobility solutions, and Dutch bank Abn Amro.

Kask and Koo Eyewear have appointed Chiara Vitali as North America sales manager for the cycling division. Vitali joined Kask in 2015 as Europe sales manager within the safety division. Since 2018, she has continued her work with the team as the West Coast sales manager for Kask America. The new role will see Vitali bring her experience and insights to the cycling division across America. In this regard, Chiara Vitali said: “I’m very thrilled to join the North America Kask cycling team. Over the past seven years as a regional sales manager for the safety division, I have personally seen and experienced what this company can achieve and the great potential the Kask brand has in both markets. I’m so proud to be part of the Kask family and I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my life. I promise to do my utmost best in this new role”.

GRIPGRAB DOUBLES REVENUE IN TWO YEARS

Danish cycling accessories brand GripGrab has announced that it has doubled its revenue in two years. Last year was a growth-filled 12 months for the family-owned business. The company grew its turnover by 30% in 2021, to reach a total of almost 100 million danish kroner (approximately €13.1 million). In this regard, Martin Krøyer, ceo of GripGrab, said: “We are enormously satisfied with the result we have delivered in 2021. We had tailwinds during the coronavirus pandemic because people had to look outside to exercise. We could clearly feel it, and it turns out that people to that extent have opened their eyes to what cycling can do. You become happier, fresher and healthier, plus you can use your bike as a means of transport in everyday life. It supports our purpose of enriching lives through cycling”.

In his new role, Mason will oversee key departments and management team members, including all operations of Pivot’s Stuttgart, Germany-based offices. Mason joined Pivot Cycles in 2015 as the national sales manager before being promoted to global sales manager in 2019. CEO Chris Cocalis announced Mason’s promotion internally during the first week of June. In commenting on this news, Mason said: “I am excited about the opportunity to expand my role on the leadership team at Pivot Cycles. Chris has built a tremendous group of people who truly share a passion to create and deliver the best performing bikes on the market, and it’s a privilege to help lead that kind of dedicated team”.

BRYAN MASON APPOINTED NEW PRESIDENT OF PIVOT CYCLES

TEAM JUMBO-VISMA RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH SUPERSAPIENS

Team Jumbo-Visma has announced that Supersapiens will continue as an official supplier to the men’s and women’s teams. Supersapiens, powered by Abbott’s Libre Sense Glucose Sport Biosensor, has been working with Team Jumbo-Visma since its launch in 2020. The US-based company delivers innovative insights around glucose data to help athletes make informed nutrition decisions around training and recovery. The partnership aims to continue providing Team Jumbo-Visma with the best working directions to optimise the training environment while focusing on specific performance goals that are actionable and relevant to improving day-to-day exercise capacity for each rider. Signa Sports United (SSU) has appointed Max Heimann as chief executive officer (ceo) of Internetstores Group. Heimann will lead SSU brands such as Fahrrad.de, Probikeshop, Addnature and Campz across Europe. He will join the firm in mid-August 2022 from Otto Group and will succeed Robert Polland, who has been interim ceo since september 2021. Heimann is a member of the management board at the Manufactum Group, an Otto Group subsidiary, where he is responsible for digital as well as brick and mortar sales, customer services, logistics and technology.