For Simplon, the past financial year was the most successful in the company's history. The company was able to increase its turnover by 29 percent to over 22 million euros. The number of bicycles sold rose from 13,500 (2007) to just under 16,000 (2008). In Switzerland, business was even better for Simplon: turnover rose from 2.85 million francs to 3.75 million francs, which corresponds to an increase of 31.5 percent.

A confident view of the future
Simplon cites growth in the core markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol, where market penetration has increased, as the reasons for the very positive development. New developments in the high-end segment have also provided strong impetus. According to Simplon, business is currently developing at the very high level of the previous year. However, exact forecasts will have to wait until spring to determine the extent to which the impact of the economic and financial crisis will affect purchasing behavior. The management is assuming a positive development.

The family-run company Simplon Fahrrad GmbH was founded in 1961 and currently employs 57 people at its headquarters in Hard on Lake Constance. Simplon generates around two thirds of its sales in the export business. Since last summer, the company has been serving the Swiss market itself via its subsidiary Individual Bikes GmbH.