Kona Bicycles lives on. Only a month after Kent Open air abruptly stalled Kona’s operations on the Sea Otter Traditional, introduced job cuts and the sale of the 36-year-old model, the long run has taken a stunning however optimistic flip. The model has been purchased again by its unique 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 Open air in 2022. Nonetheless, the post-Covid financial system hit Kona arduous. After “a bumpy couple of years,” Kent Open air determined to hoist the “For Sale” check in April, opting to put money into its water sports activities companies as an alternative.
“The sale of Kona is a vital ingredient of Kent’s current strategic evaluate. It supplies us with the flexibility to concentrate on and put money into our core progress manufacturers, assist key accounts, and develop new out of doors merchandise,” mentioned 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 below its unique management.
“Jake and I are thrilled to as soon as once more lead and rebuild Kona,” Gerhard mentioned 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 positive that Kona followers in every single place expertise the journey of a lifetime,” Kona’s assertion reads.
To honor these supplier 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 properly as soon as we get issues rolling,” the discharge states.
By way of merchandise, Kona revealed that new stock is already on the way in which. “New Kona stock is headed to our warehouse and distributors, and alongside the freshly launched Ouroboros, we’ve received some unbelievable bikes within the pipeline that we’re trying ahead to unveiling.”
Kona additionally highlights the advantages of personal possession for its pricing technique. “We are actually positioned to cost our bikes rather more competitively. Non-public possession permits us to be extra streamlined, extra versatile, and faster on our ft,” 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 mentioned it’ll proceed to function workplaces in Ferndale, WA and North Vancouver, BC.
“Tenacious, resilient, straight-talking, gritty and generally coated in grease, we’re dedicated to retaining the distinctly Kona-flavored bike buzz flowing, and serving to individuals discover freedom and enjoyable. We’re again. We’re nonetheless right here. Let’s journey.”
