Avanti Bicycle Co. buys Pacific Brands Bicycle Division

[netsuke]

I am considering retiring my 1983 (Repco) Nishiki Cresta tourer and have spent several weeks looking at the specs for Haro 1602 Roscoe flat bar and a similar MStar, available from my local Hub store.
Do you consider the Haro & MStar brands will be supported under Avanti, after September ?
I might just fit flat bars to be Cresta and see what develops.

[ldrcycles]

so not much chance of another decent repco, then? i always hoped they would reinvent the brand and make it something decent, but it'll prolly drop of the sheet altogether now..

IMO, not a snowballs chance in hell. After all the years of diabolical junk being sold at Big W, Repco as a brand is mud. They had a lot of work to make MS respectable (and still haven't convinced plenty, myself included) but it could be done as MS has a stronger history.

[whichway]

Didn't Avanti lose the Specialized distribution a while ago. This purchase would then make sense as the Avanti stable alone is not enough for them to keep their Avanti stores going. If they need these additional brands for their own stores, then Bike Hub may indeed be in trouble.

[ldrcycles]

Didn't Avanti lose the Specialized distribution a while ago. This purchase would then make sense as the Avanti stable alone is not enough for them to keep their Avanti stores going. If they need these additional brands for their own stores, then Bike Hub may indeed be in trouble.

But haven't they since got a deal going with Scott?

[eddy montignac]

But haven't they since got a deal going with Scott?

Yes, they are the current distributors for Scott bikes here.

[AUbicycles]

Didn't Avanti lose the Specialized distribution a while ago.

Perhaps better described as 'stopped' distributing Specialized.

[AUbicycles]

Just posted an interview on BNA with Steve Paraskevas who comes from Pacific Brands to become the new Avanti Bicycle Company General Manager - and many of the questions asked here have been answered.

[CommuRider]

His responses were short, terse, corp speak. Didn't learn anything new except that he requires better consumer engagement.

[familyguy]

His responses were short, terse, corp speak. Didn't learn anything new except that he requires better consumer engagement.

An emailed reply to an email?

I asked my LBS about it (BikeHub), and they were positive about the move for them. Even having an Avanti Plus up not far the road. The distinction will still be there between the two groups, possibly streamlining a few brands in or out, but not a mixing of the two.

Jim

[CommuRider]

His responses were short, terse, corp speak. Didn't learn anything new except that he requires better consumer engagement.

An emailed reply to an email?

Of course and it came across as very defensive.

[pauls51]

His responses were short, terse, corp speak. Didn't learn anything new except that he requires better consumer engagement.

And better people skills... But I digress it isn't his fault Pac brands sold their bicycle division

[ldrcycles]

+1, how not to respond to an interview. The difference between this bloke and the old guy who was interviewed in Bicycling Australia a little while ago is huge.

[AUbicycles]

Yes, it was an email interview - as you can understand with the acquistion and transition, time is in short supply so I agreed to the email approach.

As I replied on facebook, the answers none-the-less provide a confirmation that the the 'worst fear' scenarios are no cause for worry in the short term.

[London Boy]

His responses were short, terse, corp speak. Didn't learn anything new except that he requires better consumer engagement.

An emailed reply to an email?

Of course and it came across as very defensive.

Not so to me. What I read was not so much defensive, but preserving options and not setting any expectations about future plans. In other words, I've got to tell you something, but I'm not really telling you anything.

[CommuRider]

Obfuscation.

I wonder why he agreed to the interview in the first place.

[familyguy]

Obfuscation.

I wonder why he agreed to the interview in the first place.

FWIW I believe this was a long, drawn out process. The MS 2012 range product range launch (among other smaller things) was straight-out cancelled due to the back-and-forth.

Jim

[Roadi]

I'm a newy to this site and in fact joined just because of this topic. My 2 cents worth is that it is sad to see Avanti take over the MS brand, especially with Steves replies. I get the impression he's all about the $$ the easy way rather than making the $$ through creating unique strong brands. I hope I'm wrong.

[pauls51]

Anyone know who will be taking Ridley? The people I have spoken too aren't too sure still

[munga]

ubibi: pacific brands is also the park tools distributor

[London Boy]

so not much chance of another decent repco, then? i always hoped they would reinvent the brand and make it something decent, but it'll prolly drop of the sheet altogether now..

IMO, not a snowballs chance in hell. After all the years of diabolical junk being sold at Big W, Repco as a brand is mud. They had a lot of work to make MS respectable (and still haven't convinced plenty, myself included) but it could be done as MS has a stronger history.

MS, very good bikes, excellent value. I've got two, bought after reading reviews and trying them out. Also looked at Bianchi, Merida, Avanti, Colnago (even Colnago) and so on. Either too expensive or just not as well equipped if they were in the range.

[Sydguy]

Article from Michael Pascoe in the SMH the other day - wonder if anyone read it.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/flight-c ... 1jjfy.html

Whilst I think he is very misinformed generally about cycling there are interesting themes in the article.

Not directly related to Pacific Brands/Avanti but it might lead to a further shake up in the market.

JM

[russellgarrard]

I give up...

I just buy everything online now and slap down the reddies at the LBS and go 'When can you fit it'

[wombatK]

the answers none-the-less provide a confirmation that the the 'worst fear' scenarios are no cause for worry in the short term.

All well and good if you want just a short term relationship with your bicycle supplier. I suspect the online buyers are often looking short term only, so there might be a market for that. If you overlook what might be behind the "at this stage" qualified replies, and if you're a short-term thinker, his answers will comfort you. While it's not the "worst fear" scenario, I wouldn't want to hold shares in his company long term

[AUbicycles]

Thanks for your comments.
On reflecting, maybe it was just a good time for Avanti to make the purchase and place the ex PacBrands manager at the Helm - though still being early days, they may now be thinking, lets keep this running parallel and get the administration worked out, then review and make decisions.

Just speculation on my side, changes are inevitable however if I was a sharefolder, don't have the info to be able to make a decision.

[greyhoundtom]

While there is no doubt that in every industry companies try to position themselves best to take advantage of actual or perceived future opportunities.

The lack of clearly stated goals and directions by the Avanti management at the time of the purchase will cost them brand loyalty by customers in the short term at least, and has to make it more difficult for bike shops to decide what brands of bikes and spares to stock.