Evans Cycles’ Shimano supply temporarily cut

Evans Cycles has seen its Shimano supply halted for a chunk of the first quarter due to “supply and invoicing issues” with UK supplier Madison, according to a source internally.

In emails seen by CyclingIndustry.News, head office issued a recall on Shimano goods with a mid-April deadline in a bid to balance supply to “where it is most needed” in the network, while head office settled the problems. The recall also covered Brompton spares and accessories, but no reason was attributed for this action.

According to a statement from Evans, replacement Shimano stock arrived with the business yesterday after a period of staggered supply.

“We are aware of a temporary supply issue, which has now been resolved,” said a spokesperson today. “We have normal stock levels in-store and online and it’s very much business as usual for us.”

Alternative suppliers were sought to fill the gap during the period of downtime, according to the messages seen by CI.N today, with alternative goods from SRAM and Clarks filling the servicing gap. Shipments of Garmin and Kryptonite stock were also put on hold, according to the messages.

“This mean we are unable to service bike to the standard customer expected (such as using cheap cable outers instead of Shimano’s),” said our source.

It was further indicated that shop floor staff across all branches have recently been drafted in to help in bike assembly tasks leading into peak season. Asked to assemble “one bike per shift as a minimum” training has been provided via Evans’ own Veloversity scheme to give sales staff mechanical knowledge.

Having recently replaced its former chief executive Andy King after only a 17 month stint in charge, Evans, like others in the industry, has been fighting to balance the business in a down market and through a generally tough start to 2018.

King’s predecessor Nick Wilkinson presided over a fall in operating profits of 45%, with year end figures for 2016 showing a decline in operating profits to £2.2 million from £4 million the year prior. It was 2015 when ECI Partners, the current VC backers bought the chain for a deal worth £80 million.

Evans operates around 60 stores nationwide.