Bergamont is changing hands: The Hamburg-based bike manufacturer has been under the BMC umbrella since 2008, but now BMC is parting ways with Bergamont. From now on, Scott Sports will manage Bergamont's business as the new owner.

As part of the strategic realignment of BMC Group Holding AG, BMC and Scott Sports SA have agreed on a takeover of the shares, including the Swiss assets, of Bergamont Fahrrad Vertrieb GmbH. From the end of June 2015, Bergamont Fahrrad Vertrieb GmbH will continue its business under the umbrella of Scott Sports SA. BMC acquired shares in Bergamont in 2008. Since then, the company's turnover has more than doubled and Bergamont is still very profitable and excellently positioned, Scott announced in a press release.

Three become two: Thomas Binggeli says goodbye to Bergamont from BMC Group Holding AG, BMC and Stromer remain under the company umbrella

Focus on sports equipment at BMC

The realignment of BMC Group Holding AG with the two companies BMC Switzerland AG and myStromer AG is aimed at focusing activities on the sports segment. "An ideal partner for Bergamont has been found in a company like Scott Sports SA, which is excellently established in the bike and sports industry," says Thomas Binggeli, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BMC Group Holding AG. In other words, the Grenchen-based bicycle manufacturer will be moving away from the city and trekking bike segment and increasingly specializing in racing bikes and mountain bikes in the high-price segment.

Takes Bergamont under his wing: Scott CEO Beat Zaugg

Synergies for Scott

For Beat Zaugg, CEO of Scott Sports SA, "an established and successful brand like Bergamont is the ideal addition to Scott's existing bike portfolio. We expect many positive synergies, particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland." The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price; Scott had only recently raised new capital to finance the takeover of Bergamont: Scott Sports SA had sold shares in two tranches and, since the beginning of 2015, 50.01% of the shares have been owned by the South Korean company Youngone Corp. Scott CEO Zaugg already described in the interview with Ride in April 2015 how the transfer of the majority shareholding to Youngone is linked to the fact that Scott has a broader financial base and can "concentrate on further market development".

Changes at Bergamont

Stefan Berkes, founder and managing director of Bergamont, will leave the company after a transitional period to devote himself to a company that has been family-owned since 1938, among other things, but will continue to be available in an advisory capacity. The current senior executives Martin Eberle (Head of Product Development) and Wolfgang Winkler (Administration/Finance), together with a new Sales Manager, will continue to manage Bergamont as part of the Scott Group. Swiss sales will continue to be managed by Stefan Schär. The Bergamont dealer network will be informed in detail about any logistical changes in the coming days.