Binggeli restructures BMC Group

Just 100 days after Thomas Binggeli acquired a stake in Andy Rihs' ISH International Sport Holding, the new boss is presenting the new structure of the bike group, which has been adapted in terms of personnel and organization and will now be called the BMC Group. The Stromer e-bike, which Binggeli is bringing into the group, is set for global marketing.

"The structural adjustments we are making range from personnel measures and a reorganization of the entire production process to a sharpened brand profile," says Binggeli, taking stock of his first 100 days as Managing Director. "We have said goodbye to the name ISH. In future, our group will be called BMC Group. We are placing greater emphasis on profiling ourselves as a Swiss bicycle manufacturer of high-tech products".

The BMC and Bergamont bicycle brands and the Stromer e-bike brand are to be given more precise brand profiles and the model ranges are to be geared towards synergies. In future, BMC will focus exclusively on high-quality racing bikes and mountain bikes. According to Binggeli, the Hamburg division with the Bergamont brand will in future "increasingly cover the segment of the best bikes at the right price". With the Stromer e-bike, Binggeli and Rihs want to aim high and distribute the multi-award-winning bike worldwide under the BMC Group umbrella.

Production in Switzerland
According to Binggeli, not only is the distribution of the Stromer to be expanded, but investments will also be made in the further development of the product. There is also the prospect that the carbon frame production facilities in Grenchen will start series production under the "Impec" technology label. With "We are committed to Switzerland as a bicycle production location", Binggeli is making a clear commitment to domestic production.

Strengthening of the management team
In order to drive forward the internationalization of the BMC Group, 38-year-old Thomas Binggeli is strengthening his management team. With Christian Müller, formerly with DT Swiss, a proven industry expert joins the team as the new operational head of the Stromer electric bike division. Müller has the task of establishing the Stromer project in all important international markets. The two owners of the BMC Group, Andy Rihs and Thomas Binggeli, believe that there is great potential for electric bikes "if they appeal to an urban audience and are able to meet their needs", explains Binggeli.

The former CFO of the Intersport PSC Group, Stefan Sommer, is the new Chief Operating Officer of the BMC Group. Rolf Singenberger, who previously worked for BMC, will head the BMC business unit in future. The founder and Managing Director of the Bergamont brand, Stefan Berkes from Hamburg, will continue to be responsible for operations.

Swiss-style claim for the BMC Group
To express the cycling enthusiasm of Rihs and Binggeli, the BMC Group will have the addition "Group of Velo Friends" next to it. "My Chairman of the Board Andy Rihs says of himself that he is a cycling maniac and that is exactly right. I also bring a large network of cycling friends to the new group - and a lot of enthusiasm. Together we will form the Group of Velo Friends in future - we will invest a lot of energy in our new bike network".

The management of the BMC Group is as follows as of March 1, 2012: