Accell North America Unveils Integrated Business Platform

KENT, Wash. - Jan. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- Accell North America (ANA), a group of leading, independent cycling brands united to catalyze the growth of Independent Bicycle Retail in North America, today unveils the results of major business platform investments to integrate Seattle Bike Supply and Raleigh America into new ANA systems.

ANA is the North American business entity of Accell Group (http://www.accell-group.com/uk/accell-group.asp) (AG), the largest bicycle company in Europe. Over the past year, ANA has invested heavily in infrastructure changes and efficiencies, intended to create a powerful group of independent brands that work together to bring ease, flexibility and profitability to the North American Independent Bicycle Dealer (IBD) network.

The investments enable both Seattle Bike Supply (http://www.seattlebikesupply.com/) (SBS) and Raleigh America (http://www.raleighusa.com/) to offer dealers a one-stop shop for bikes and parts through an Integrated IT solution that provides all dealers a sizable increase in parts and accessories SKUS and services. Additionally, a brand-new business-to-business (B2B) website and three new automated warehouses located in Ohio, California and Washington, are included in the business platform roll out. The B2B website services dealers of Raleigh, Lapierre (http://www.lapierrebicycles.com/) and Diamondback (http://www.diamondback.com/), in addition to SBS. Additionally, all ANA brands are now located on one campus in Kent, Wash. The independent companies comprising Accell North America include:

-       Raleigh America (Raleigh and Diamondback)

-       Seattle Bike Supply (Redline, Torker, XLC)

-       Lapierre North America

“These investments will significantly increase our combined level of services for ANA companies to support dealer profitability and ease of doing business in 2014,” said Steve Meineke, CEO of ANA. “Our new business platform unites our independent brands and companies and enables our team to provide improved ease and efficiency in the order process, stronger fill rates and shipping and payment info. This is in addition to unmatched sales program incentives, dating and terms, improved forecasting and better inventory availability.

“All of which underscore our unwaivering commitment to being the most profitable, friendly and flexible partner to our customers – period.”

About Accell North America:

Accell North America is committed to leading in cycling innovation in product, brand and specialty business practices to grow Independent Bicycle Retail in North America. Accell North America is the North American business entity of Accell Group, NV, Europe’s leading bicycle company. Accell North America, located in Kent, Wash., is completely focused on growing the specialty bike business by providing excellence in customer service, product innovation, profitability and brand marketing on the regional and national level.

Media Contact:

Verde Brand Communictions

Kristin Carpenter-Ogden

970.946.2511

kco@verdepr.com