News

Shimano Europe has released details of a joint venture company with Nikos Maniatopoulos S.A. (NMSA) to handle cycling and fishing tackle sales and service throughout most of the southeast of the continent.

The joint venture will operate as Shimano South-East Europe, carrying out all sales, marketing, service and logistic activities for Shimano bicycle components and fishing tackle. NMSA’s subsidiaries already handle the cycling side of business here.

The countries involved include Greece-Cyprus, for bike-related businesses only, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria.

Marc van Rooij, president of Shimano Europe, said: “We are happy to announce this joint venture with NMSA. Shimano has grown enormously in recent years and the demand for our products is increasing every year.

“In order to be able to meet the continuously changing requirements of our customers and to grow further, this joint venture is a great opportunity for both parties to further develop our sales, marketing and services in the southeast European markets. I am more than confident that this joint venture will positively contribute to this challenge”.

Angelo Maniatopoulos, CEO of NMSA, added: “The joint venture with Shimano Europe is the natural step into the future, after almost 30 years as Shimano bike components independent distributor. Our company, in close cooperation and coordination with Shimano Europe, has established a network of five Eurotrade subsidiaries, aiming at the best possible Shimano distribution in the southeast European markets.

“This project is now matured, ready to elevate onto the next stage of service for our customers, and experiences for our end consumers. [There is] no better way for this than to stay on the same, reliable path of co-existence with Shimano Europe.”.

Currently, teams from both companies are working hard to integrate the tackle business in the new joint venture, with integration planned to start on April 1st.

Fishing tackle retailers in the area will be approached individually to be onboarded into the new organisation.