Kona Bicycles lives on. Only a month after Kent Outside abruptly stalled Kona’s operations on the Sea Otter Basic, introduced job cuts and the sale of the 36-year-old model, the longer term has taken a stunning however optimistic flip. The model has been purchased again by its authentic founders, Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron, who promise to return Kona to its roots.
Based in 1988, Kona Bicycles was purchased by the Canadian sporting items firm Kent Outside in 2022. Nonetheless, the post-Covid financial system hit Kona onerous. After “a bumpy couple of years,” Kent Outside determined to hoist the “For Sale” check in April, opting to spend money on its water sports activities companies as a substitute.
“The sale of Kona is a crucial component of Kent’s current strategic assessment. It gives us with the flexibility to deal with and spend money on our core development manufacturers, assist key accounts, and develop new out of doors merchandise,” stated Kent Government Chairman Lee Belitsky in a press launch. “We’re happy to know that Dan and Jake are on the helm to maneuver this well-respected model ahead and proceed serving sellers and clients.”
In the meantime, the founders specific enthusiasm for the model’s future underneath its authentic management.
“Jake and I are thrilled to as soon as once more lead and rebuild Kona,” Gerhard stated in a press release. “With this return to being rider-owned and operated, we’re doubling down on our distinctive model legacy and getting again to some fundamentals.”
Fundamentals like renewing the model’s relationships with its North American and European sellers.
“Most of us began out in bike outlets, and in our eyes, IBDs are our strongest advocates and allies. Wholesome retailers are integral to creating certain that Kona followers all over the place expertise the journey of a lifetime,” Kona’s assertion reads.
To honor these vendor relationships, Kona introduced it will pause direct-to-consumer gross sales.
“We’re pausing D2C for all bikes. Konaworld will present modifications to mirror this, and our social and communications channels can be getting reworked as nicely as soon as we get issues rolling,” the discharge states.
When it comes to merchandise, Kona revealed that new stock is already on the best way. “New Kona stock is headed to our warehouse and distributors, and alongside the freshly launched Ouroboros, we’ve acquired some unimaginable bikes within the pipeline that we’re wanting ahead to unveiling.”
Kona additionally highlights the advantages of personal possession for its pricing technique. “We at the moment are positioned to cost our bikes way more competitively. Non-public possession permits us to be extra streamlined, extra versatile, and faster on our toes,” the press launch defined. “We’ll by no means do a BOGO Sale once more, so don’t ask, however we promise to supply good worth for good cash, at all times.”
In closing, Kona stated it should proceed to function workplaces in Ferndale, WA and North Vancouver, BC.
“Tenacious, resilient, straight-talking, gritty and generally lined in grease, we’re dedicated to preserving the distinctly Kona-flavored bike buzz flowing, and serving to folks discover freedom and enjoyable. We’re again. We’re nonetheless right here. Let’s journey.”
