U.S. bike maker Allied Cycle Works signs distributors for UK and Scandinavia

HIA Velo’s Allied Cycle Works house brand has signed its first European distributors, appointing the UK’s The Bicycle Chain and Jens Snedker for the Scandinavian region.

Indicating a desire to both develop bricks and mortar sales, as well as a direct to consumer channel, the UK appointment is itself an operator of three Somerset bike shops that will now both carry and redistribute the bikes to trade accounts seeking stock. Owners Alex and Paul Kenchington will manage UK stock.

“Alex and I have a very similar background. We both share a deep passion for the traditional IBD model, but we know that it must evolve in order to exist in the future. We look forward to working together to build a strong presence for Allied Cycle Works in the UK,” says Allied Cycle Works founder and MD Tony Karklins.

“So few brands have a real story behind them these days. You cannot help but be inspired by Allied’s goals and we believe the cyclist and the dealer will want to be a part of the journey. The Allied business model is nimble and gives the market access to an incredible custom product at very competitive prices, delivered quickly, however you want it,” adds Alex Kenchington.

Jens Snedker will represent Allied in the Scandinavian countries including: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. “Jens spent 20 years in top management of Trek in Denmark. His knowledge of the market and of representing great American brands makes him a perfect fit.” says Karklins.

“After my first conversations with Tony Karklins about the bicycle industry, it was quite clear that I was dealing with a person and a company with ambitions to produce best-in-class carbon fiber frames in USA, but also a company ready for the many new opportunities that lie ahead of the bicycle Industry. So after more than 20 years of leadership at Trek Denmark, I am proud to be part of the future together with Allied Cycle Works and at the same time announce that the first shipments of framesets is on it’s way from USA to Scandinavia,” says Snedker.

Allied Cycle Works intends to expand into another 4 to 6 export markets by the end of 2018.