Bikebox is currently the most prominent face of the crisis in the Swiss bicycle industry. Founder Andreas "Acki" Ackermann is being criticized - even though he saved the company by restructuring it. The over-indebted old companies behind the six branches have gone bankrupt, before a new parent company took over the locations and continues to run the business. Some people are rubbing their eyes as to how such a thing is possible, while the suppliers are obviously happy that the Bikebox means that half a dozen outlets will remain open and continue to sell their products.

The Berner Zeitung broke the story big time. Ride has been monitoring the events for months and has also reported. It is indeed suspicious when the four companies behind the six branches move their headquarters to Zug within a few days, change their name and immediately go bankrupt. But it is also clear that running up debts and letting a company go bankrupt is neither forbidden nor unusual. Acki defends himself on Linkedin, among other places, against the accusation of bankruptcy (which in any case means something else). Here, the entrepreneur answers some, if not all, of the questions that Ride and probably some readers are asking. He has the answers provided in writing by a reputation and crisis management agency. However, Ride has been in direct contact with him several times.

What is your role at Bikebox and its new parent company Bikefox?
I was Managing Director and shareholder at the BikeBox Group and I am currently Managing Director at BikeFox AG.

You and your business partners restructured the Bikebox Group by liquidating the old companies and founding the new Bikefox AG, which continues to run the business. What was the situation like before this restructuring?
We spent eight months trying to restructure and, in particular, to find solutions for the overstock and the looming over-indebtedness. Only at the end did we file for bankruptcy in consultation with the relevant creditors. A fresh start made more sense. Before the restructuring, each branch was a separate company. This was due to the past. Back then, we bought independent bike stores and renamed them. One of the restructuring measures was to merge all the companies. However, this no longer made sense due to over-indebtedness. BikeFox AG is now a company with various profit centers.

The entire industry is in crisis. Why are you carrying on?
We have an eight-figure base turnover and many thousands of satisfied customers. We are 100% convinced of two-wheeled mobility and the potential of this industry. We are passionate about bikes and bikesports, and generally about having fun on two wheels, even though I always like to hit the trails in the mountains myself.

Why the relocation to the canton of Zug, the new company names just days before they go bankrupt?
The parent company of BikeBox AG has already been based in Zug for some time. Our intention was to bundle all the companies in one canton, simplify processes and make them more efficient. We changed the company names because we wanted to make ourselves fit for the future and didn't want to drag along any old burdens. This renaming is probably rightly criticized today, but I can say with a clear conscience that there was no intention to disguise anything. At no point did I break the law.

Can you understand why some people are wondering whether debts are being written off in this way?
No, not really, because at no point did we write off debts or anything like that, but did everything we could to bring the restructuring forward.

You said that you had found a solution with all suppliers. Have they forgiven your debts?
In bankruptcy proceedings, debts are not forgiven, but we have found solutions together with our suppliers.

Solutions to what problem?
For continued cooperation.

How did you get them to continue to trust you and supply you?
Our industry is based on two key values. On the one hand, business and size are convincing; the other value is trust. Not everyone understands that. We are convinced that we are doing well on both tracks. We also believe in the market from the bottom of our hearts and have plans for the future. At the moment, we still need around three to five months to completely reorganize ourselves. We are prepared to work hard to achieve this.

Is there anything in the Berner Zeitung report that you would like to correct or say something else about?
Unfortunately, it is still a mystery to me what the three journalists actually intended or what the value of the article is. I have been asked by many customers and business partners where I could locate a possible problem. I can't. What annoys me, however, is the subtle but clear insinuation that I have been riding bankruptcy. This is demonstrably not true and I reject it in its entirety.
The way in which the journalists from TX-Verlag conducted their research is also highly debatable from my point of view. When journalists lure my personal environment and circle of friends with opaque intentions, I personally don't find that stylish. I was hoping for more depth and substance. This is not the first time that trade magazines have scored points here, as they know the market in depth, such as Ride.

What can the new Bikefox do that the old Bikebox couldn't?
The new Bikefox consists of seven profit centers and an online store with an integrated outlet and long-term rentals. And not seven loose companies, each with one store and a heterogeneous external presence.

How do you explain the fact that not everyone thinks you and your company are great?
When I learned how to build a business in this sector from Thömu Binggeli in Oberried years ago, I never understood the envy and resentment that successful entrepreneurs face. Today, I know that you have to work hard to earn envy.

Several former employees seem to be annoyed with you and are leaking details to the media that put you and the Bikebox in a bad light. Why?
In the past, people used to talk and then have a beer or still think the other person is a tubbel [for non-Swiss German speakers: moron, idiot]. Today, people are very quick to turn to the media or vent their frustration on social media. That's a shame. Sometimes I wish I had the simplicity of the playground back. If something didn't suit you, you sorted it out straight away. But that takes size and courage. And yes, not all employees can keep up the pace or have the disposition required for a successful company. That has to be communicated. It is understandable that a mirror is held up to one or two people here, whose image is not welcomed. A little more courage and style, spiced up with fairness, would be nice.

Would you like to comment on the accusations made by your former employees?
No. But thank you very much.

Ride's research

Six people told Ride about their experiences as former employees at one of Ackermann's companies and sharply criticized him as an entrepreneur and supervisor. It is testimony against testimony.

Ackermann is right to argue that no supplier openly criticizes him or the Bikebox company. Ride has sought talks with several of them. These either report that things have not gone any worse with Bikebox than with other companies, or that they do not comment on such business transactions as a matter of principle. Only one former employee of a supplier states anonymously - the editor knows his name and the company - that his former employer had to write off a seven-figure sum because of Bikebox. Here, too, there is no proof.