3.3
2017 Highlights

1.

In March, Accell Group launched a new strategy with a clear focus on consumers. This strategy includes an omni-channel distribution model, in cooperation with the specialist retail trade. With Ton Anbeek as the new CEO, Accell Group will continue to shape this strategy, refining and translating it into a concrete strategic roadmap for 2018-2022.

2.

Ton Anbeek joined Accell as CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2017. He succeeded René Takens, who headed the company for 18 years.

3.

We received 13 international innovation and design awards for our bicycle models in the course of the year, including a Red Dot Award for the Koga E-Xite N8.

4.

Following the elimination of the multi-sports channel, we continued to adapt and streamline the North American organisation. We also refined and boosted the transition towards a completely omni-channel model, which with fixed and mobile bike shops (Beeline) is an excellent fit with the needs and wishes of US consumers.

5.

Following in the footsteps of our North American organisation, Accell opened its first Raleigh webshop in the United Kingdom, and we are working with the specialist retail trade on a click & collect basis.

6.

Our branded bicycles now include an increasing number of parts produced by XLC, our own private label for bicycle parts and accessories. A growing number of retailers and webshops now offer consumers a high-quality and competitive alternative in the form of XLC.

7.

In June, we opened the Lapierre Experience Center in Dijon (France). This is the second Accell-run Experience Center following the launch of De Fietser in Ede (the Netherlands). The Experience Center offers bicycle enthusiasts the opportunity to get to know the brand and try out, test and buy racing bikes, (e-)MTBs and e-bikes from the Lapierre collection.

8.

The introduction of the Sparta M8i and the Haibike eConnect in 2017 was the first addition of connected bicycle models to our collections.

9.

In celebration of the 35th birthday of the Team Aero Pro Burner, Raleigh created a replica of this much-loved BMX bike. The limited edition series of 350 bikes sold out online within an hour.

10.

The demand for e-MTBs continues to grow and is expanding into new markets. Haibike, the undisputed market leader in the segment, benefited strongly from this development in 2017.

11.

In 2017, we donated more than 1,000 Buffalo bicycles to World Bike Relief, a project that gives children in countries such as Zambia the chance to ride a bike to school. In total, we made more than EUR 1 million available in 2017 for initiatives that contribute to making mobility more sustainable, as well as to improving health and safety and the promotion of bicycle use worldwide.

12.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we conducted energy audits at four of our larger production hubs and distribution centres. We used the outcome to identify potential improvements and to further reduce our energy consumption.

13.

In 2017, the supply chain team went fully operational. In that context, we also launched an operation to optimise the supply chain in order to increase reliability in deliveries and reduce inventories. Inventories have declined while the value of bikes has increased.

14.

We took a new water purification installation into use at our production plant in Turkey. As a result, water used in the paint process is cleaned before it is returned to the environment.

15.

The Sparta R5TE was voted the best e-bike of the year at the 2018 Fiets Awards (Dutch Bike Awards). The R5TE has already won an award for good industrial design.

1.

In March, Accell Group launched a new strategy with a clear focus on consumers. This strategy includes an omni-channel distribution model, in cooperation with the specialist retail trade. With Ton Anbeek as the new CEO, Accell Group will continue to shape this strategy, refining and translating it into a concrete strategic roadmap for 2018-2022.

2.

Ton Anbeek joined Accell as CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2017. He succeeded René Takens, who headed the company for 18 years.

3.

We received 13 international innovation and design awards for our bicycle models in the course of the year, including a Red Dot Award for the Koga E-Xite N8.
 

4.

Following the elimination of the multi-sports channel, we continued to adapt and streamline the North American organisation. We also refined and boosted the transition towards a completely omni-channel model, which with fixed and mobile bike shops (Beeline) is an excellent fit with the needs and wishes of US consumers.  

5.

Following in the footsteps of our North American organisation, Accell opened its first Raleigh webshop in the United Kingdom, and we are working with the specialist retail trade on a click & collect basis.

6.

Our branded bicycles now include an increasing number of parts produced by XLC, our own private label for bicycle parts and accessories. A growing number of retailers and webshops now offer consumers a high-quality and competitive alternative in the form of XLC.
 

7.

In June, we opened the Lapierre Experience Center in Dijon (France). This is the second Accell-run Experience Center following the launch of De Fietser in Ede (the Netherlands). The Experience Center offers bicycle enthusiasts the opportunity to get to know the brand and try out, test and buy racing bikes, (e-)MTBs and e-bikes from the Lapierre collection.

8.

The introduction of the Sparta M8i and the Haibike eConnect in 2017 was the first addition of connected bicycle models to our collections.

9.

In celebration of the 35th birthday of the Team Aero Pro Burner, Raleigh created a replica of this much-loved BMX bike. The limited edition series of 350 bikes sold out online within an hour.
 

10.

The demand for e-MTBs continues to grow and is expanding into new markets. Haibike, the undisputed market leader in the segment, benefited strongly from this development in 2017.

11.

In 2017, we donated more than 1,000 Buffalo bicycles to World Bike Relief, a project that gives children in countries such as Zambia the chance to ride a bike to school. In total, we made more than EUR 1 million available in 2017 for initiatives that contribute to making mobility more sustainable, as well as to improving health and safety and the promotion of bicycle use worldwide.

12.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we conducted energy audits at four of our larger production hubs and distribution centres. We used the outcome to identify potential improvements and to further reduce our energy consumption.
 

13.

In 2017, the supply chain team went fully operational. In that context, we also launched an operation to optimise the supply chain in order to increase reliability in deliveries and reduce inventories. Inventories have declined while the value of bikes has increased.

14.

 We took a new water purification installation into use at our production plant in Turkey. As a result, water used in the paint process is cleaned before it is returned to the environment.

15.

The Sparta R5TE was voted the best e-bike of the year at the 2018 Fiets Awards (Dutch Bike Awards). The R5TE has already won an award for good industrial design.