The Bergamont Fahrrad Vertrieb GmbH (Bergamot Bicycle Distribution Company, Ltd.) with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, has in the context of its succession planning (due to the retirement of shareholder Hanspeter Berkes, father of the majority shareholder and managing director Stefan Berkes) looked for a new strategic partner. After an extensive search, Bergamont has decided on ISH International Sport Holding AG with its headquarters in Grenchen, Switzerland. ISH, which is wholly owned by renowned Swiss entrepreneur Andy Rihs, is the parent company of the innovative and internationally active Swiss bicycle manufacturer BMC. ISH will become the new majority shareholder in Bergamont, though Stefan Berkes will retain a sizable share of the company and continue to play a very active
role in the company as managing director.

Strengthening Both Brands
For Andy Rihs, the sole shareholder of ISH, BMC and Bergamont compliment each other perfectly both in terms of the product portfolio and their geographic presence. Bergamont will be able to build up its international reach while BMC will have the opportunity to strengthen considerably its market presence in Germany. Andy Rihs is therefore convinced:
“With the cooperation of both brands, each will be strengthened and will be able to generate additional growth.” Both brands will, for the rest continue to be marketed autonomously and retain their proven and well-known sales and marketing components of their sale and marketing force. New opportunities for Bergamont
Stefan Berkes, continuing as an important shareholder and the managing director for Bergamont, believes, “I look forward to the partnership with the ISH group and am convinced that we can use the extensive opportunities in the dynamic international bicycle market together much more effectively than we can working separately. In addition, this union will offer us the opportunity to strengthen our operational processes and organization in
Hamburg.”

Market Reach Optimized Thanks to Synergies
Andreas Georgiadis, CEO of the ISH Group, sees the advantages of this partnership particularly in the improvement of market reach and in the medium term synergies, “By having complimentary product portfolios, we will be able to address the needs of the specialized retailers even more comprehensively and accelerate the growth of the group. At the same time - owing to the possible synergies, in particular in product development, production and purchasing – the profitability is increased.” Georgiadis is also clear on one thing: “It was crucial for our (ISH’s) involvement that Stefan Berkes remain managing director of and major shareholder in Bergamont - thus guaranteeing the future success of the
company.”