Just heard a rumor that Sportworks sold it's bike division to Thule - anyone heard similar?
Sportworks to Thule??
- Thread starter jacksonpt
- Start date
It's true. Victor's bummed because he loved the Sportworks racks but he's not going to bring in the whole Thule line just to carry the Sportworks stuff.
bummer... I hope they don't f with the design. I'm glad I got mine when I did.
Nothing... it's just that the sportworks is THAT good.
Sportworks racks kick butt! We just got the new TranSport T2 and it's very sturdy. Hopefully Thule will continue with the great products and the great customer service that Sportworks has provided.
Here's a press release on it.
------------------------
Thule Acquires Sportworks' Quick-load Bike Racks Division
SportsNewsSource Posted: 4/1/2005
Thule has reportedly signed a letter of intent to acquire the Quick-load
Bike Racks division of Sportworks Northwest, Inc. In accordance to the
LOI, Thule will acquire the Quick-load Bike Racks' assets from
Sportworks and will make the line available to Thule dealers on May 9,
2005.
"We continue to be on the lookout for companies that fit in well with
Thule's product and growth strategies," said Fred Clark, Thule, Inc.
President. "This acquisition fit all our criteria and the addition of
the Quick-load products to the Thule line, gives us the most
comprehensive and innovative offering of bicycle racks in the industry."
Under the letter of intent Thule will distribute Sportworks Quick-load
Bike Racks with Sportworks branding, while Sportworks will continue to
manufacture and distribute their Bike-Rack-for-Buses line under the
Sportworks brand. Over the next year the Sportworks Quick-load Bike
Racks will be fully integrated into the Thule line with Thule branding.
"We are proud of our accomplishments of taking the Sportworks brand of
consumer rack systems as far as we did," said Mike Reeves, President of
Sportworks. "This opportunity with Thule will expand the distribution of
our consumer products, while allowing us to concentrate on our original
business of serving the transit market."
"Sportworks has always had very innovative products and they are the
true originator of the platform hitch rack system," said Chris
Dannewitz, Thule, Inc. VP of Business Development. "Their new T2
platform hitch rack and the Insta-Gater truck bed rack are fine examples
of Sportworks products that will be worthy of the Thule brand name."
Thule and Sportworks are in the process of due diligence and will be
communicating with their customers in the next few weeks on how the
relationship will affect their business.
Thule and Sportworks will formerly announce the agreement at the Sea
Otter Classic in Monterey, CA April 14-17.
Here's a press release on it.
------------------------
Thule Acquires Sportworks' Quick-load Bike Racks Division
SportsNewsSource Posted: 4/1/2005
Thule has reportedly signed a letter of intent to acquire the Quick-load
Bike Racks division of Sportworks Northwest, Inc. In accordance to the
LOI, Thule will acquire the Quick-load Bike Racks' assets from
Sportworks and will make the line available to Thule dealers on May 9,
2005.
"We continue to be on the lookout for companies that fit in well with
Thule's product and growth strategies," said Fred Clark, Thule, Inc.
President. "This acquisition fit all our criteria and the addition of
the Quick-load products to the Thule line, gives us the most
comprehensive and innovative offering of bicycle racks in the industry."
Under the letter of intent Thule will distribute Sportworks Quick-load
Bike Racks with Sportworks branding, while Sportworks will continue to
manufacture and distribute their Bike-Rack-for-Buses line under the
Sportworks brand. Over the next year the Sportworks Quick-load Bike
Racks will be fully integrated into the Thule line with Thule branding.
"We are proud of our accomplishments of taking the Sportworks brand of
consumer rack systems as far as we did," said Mike Reeves, President of
Sportworks. "This opportunity with Thule will expand the distribution of
our consumer products, while allowing us to concentrate on our original
business of serving the transit market."
"Sportworks has always had very innovative products and they are the
true originator of the platform hitch rack system," said Chris
Dannewitz, Thule, Inc. VP of Business Development. "Their new T2
platform hitch rack and the Insta-Gater truck bed rack are fine examples
of Sportworks products that will be worthy of the Thule brand name."
Thule and Sportworks are in the process of due diligence and will be
communicating with their customers in the next few weeks on how the
relationship will affect their business.
Thule and Sportworks will formerly announce the agreement at the Sea
Otter Classic in Monterey, CA April 14-17.
There's nothing wrong with Thule, but Vic's already a very well established Yakima dealer, there's no reason to bring in another entire rack line just to get the Sportworks design.
It's a shame, really. Sportworks was good guys. Thule was already set up with their gear and none of the old Sportworks employees at their booth at Sea Otter.
Good news is the new Transport II looks fabulous. Great redesign to the wheel tray, and the new four-bar pivot is insane (I'm waiting for the Horst link version myself
).
Be interesting to see of Thule sticks with the Sportworks' Bob Ratchet approach to roof racks, or continues to sell their garish, overly plasticized Super-G.
Good news is the new Transport II looks fabulous. Great redesign to the wheel tray, and the new four-bar pivot is insane (I'm waiting for the Horst link version myself
).Be interesting to see of Thule sticks with the Sportworks' Bob Ratchet approach to roof racks, or continues to sell their garish, overly plasticized Super-G.