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Swiss Bike Brands BMC and Stromer Merge

release by International Sport Holding

November 10, 2011 (Grenchen, Switzerland) – Two strong Swiss bike manufacturers, Andy Rihs and Thomas Binggeli, have joined forces to become an innovative Swiss bicycle manufacturer with an international focus. Rihs brings the “BMC” (winning team in the 2011 Tour de France) and “Bergamont” brands, Thomas Binggeli the successful E-Bike “Stromer” under the common roof of the ISH (International Sport Holding). This collaboration should give domestic bicycle production a new stimulus and bring innovative Swiss technology onto the international market.

Rihs (69) and Binggeli (37) have one thing in common: they are passionate bicycle enthusiasts and are amongst the most committed bicycle manufacturers in Switzerland.

The collaboration between Andy Rihs and Thomas Binggeli in the ISH Group results in a Swiss bicycle manufacturer that brings together innovation, Swiss precision and the latest bike technology.

Rihs said: “Thomas Binggeli is only 37 years old and has already impressively proven that he is an innovative, inspiring entrepreneur with great staying power. I am expecting some decisive stimuli for the entire group through his personality and his ingenious E-Bike Stromer!”

The Stromer has been developed completely in Switzerland and already won several awards. It will be sold to specialist dealers around the world through the ISH Group’s sales network together with BMC and Bergamont.

Binggeli, the founder of Thömus Veloshop, has a share in the ISH Holding and is now in charge of its operative management. He replaces Mike Hürlimann, who managed the ISH Group over the past three years and turned it into a globally active enterprise. The Board of Directors would like to thank him for his great commitment and willingness to remain “on call” for special tasks.

Rihs remains the Chairman of the ISH Board of Directors.

The name “Thömus” will remain an independent bike brand and will be managed by Markus Binggeli in future, who cooperated for many years with his brother Thomas.

Thomas Binggeli remains the majority shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors.

Binggeli commented on his new function in the ISH Group: “This is a fantastic step forward for me! We now have a great chance of developing into an important Swiss bicycle manufacturer over the coming years. We are convinced that all of the ISH brands will profit from the synergies in the fields of research and development, purchasing, production, sales and administration.

The new ISH Group currently has around 250 employees in Grenchen, Thörishaus and Hamburg. It has an annual turnover of around CHF 125 million.





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