The Empire Strikes Back: Specialized Sues A Bike Shop Over Name

[SoftTail]

 

Let me help you a little .

Specialized sold their what was then a fully owned manufacturing plant to Merida, they opted to keep it at 51% so they could still have the majority share in that.

The company itself has one owner.

Is that difficult to understand or should we draw pictures, it's pretty old news and the old court saga that made Specilaized look like bullies at the time painted a pretty clear picture of all that.

 

Oh and by the way, don't believe all you read on wiki .

You will also notice that the percentage value changes heavily from source to source .

 

Dear Wyatt Earp

 

Let me help you a little.

 

There are a large number of media reports available on the Internet, dated July/August 2001, in which Merida's acquisition of 49% of Specialized is recorded. Here is just one of the many. The original version of this particular report is also the source of the confusion over the percentage acquired by Merida. The initial error is corrected in this report.

 

If you need more I will be happy to oblige.

 

Best regards

 

Hardtail

 

http://www.bike-eu.com/Home/General/2001/8/Correction-Merida-Buys-49-of-Specialized-BIK000680W/

 

Correction: Merida Buys 49% of Specialized

 

by Bike Europe 8 August 2001

 

TAIPEI, Taiwan (August 8) - Merida Industry Co. stated today that it has acquired 49% of Specialized Bicycles Inc., the US company that was first in taking the mountainbike to production. Bike Europe mistakenly reported earlier on this website that Taiwan's number two bike maker bought only 19% of Specialized. Merida Industry spokesman Cash Yang confirmed the 49% stake of Merida in the US bicycle company today.

This marriage of one of the world's top brands with one of the world's top manufacturers will create synergy at all levels of business, from R&D to finance to sales and distribution, said Cash Yang. In a prepared statement, Specialized emphasized that its founder and president, Mike Sinyard, would remain firmly at the Specialized helm after the deal, as Merida was only a minority shareholder. For it's 49% stake in Specialized, Merida paid around US$30 million in cash. Sinyard also devoted an undisclosed amount of personal funds to bolster his company. When asked whether Specialized was strapped for funds, however, Merida officials offered no comment. Practically, the arrangement should bring short term benefits to both companies. Merida will gain near immediate exclusivity for Specialized's orders to Taiwan, as Specialized will no longer use competitors Giant and Ideal. Specialized, meanwhile, receives a quick cash influx to support its current marketing, sales and merchandising programs. Over the long term, Yang said that Merida hopes to win out through a close working allegiance with one of the world's top brands. In the past, Merida has experienced some difficulty in establishing its own international brand, despite years and millions of dollars spent in the effort. Specialized announced several far reaching goals for the new cooperation. The first is the continued support of the independent bicycle dealer, a goal in accord with Specialized's focus on products for cycling enthusiasts. Another goal was future expansion and investment in Europe.(DF)

 

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/specialized-bicycle-components-inc-history/

 

Edited December 11, 2013 by Hardtail

[Wyatt Earp]

Too long winded Quinton, all that stuff is old news, but your personal vendetta should be contested in Belgium, unless of course you are wanting some sympathy from SA cycling community behind you.

My last say here, peace out.

As for war veteran Dan, big brother is always watching .

Edited December 11, 2013 by Wyatt Earp

[BrandonF_]

...

[Johny Bravo]

You guys are right, that was my first and last comment, if the audience is such a nice one such as yourself. Merida owns 49% of Specialized. Merida also makes all of the Specialized bikes overseas (that are manufactured overseas) for them as well. This is not news, this has been the way it is for the past few years. Saying that, I am out of here.

Ferrari is owned by Fiat, what you are saying is that Ferrari is a overpriced Fiat. Vw own Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche , Bugatti etc etc. So you are saying a Bugatti Veyron is a overpriced beetle? I am right. Merida has shares in Spez, never argued that. They may even share the factory to keep costs down. Spez do their own research and design their own frames, Merida aswell. Dont be misinformed and make ridiculous statements like that. Edited December 11, 2013 by schalk1982

[GoLefty!!]

Fact: Mike Sinyard owns 51% of Specialized and Merida 49%.

Try and keep up!

 

it seems the difference between the terms "controlling share" and "ownership" is lost on the fanboys...

[Wyatt Earp]

it seems the difference between the terms "controlling share" and "ownership" is lost on the fanboys...

 

Funny thing is, those figures and articles are such an old wives tale they are almost urban myths, but someone who raves about a bike company that tried their hand at quads might not understand this.

It's actually a great example of "don't believe everything you read on the web"

[I am not SomeBloke]

Funny thing is, those figures and articles are such an old wives tale they are almost urban myths, but someone who raves about a bike company that tried their hand at quads might not understand this.

It's actually a great example of "don't believe everything you read on the web"

 

What are the actual figures?

[GoLefty!!]

Funny thing is, those figures and articles are such an old wives tale they are almost urban myths, but someone who raves about a bike company that tried their hand at quads might not understand this.

It's actually a great example of "don't believe everything you read on the web"

 

 

I think you need to unpack your suitcase a little. Its clearly heavy

[Wyatt Earp]

I think you need to unpack your suitcase a little. Its clearly heavy

 

If you haven't noticed, I sling a handbag.

[Wyatt Earp]

What are the actual figures?

 

When we manage to find out, wiki and all other sites can eventually be updated.

But at this stage it fluctuates heavily.

[DIPSLICK]

EARPIE YOU SAID 3 POSTS AGO YOU NOT POSTING ABOUT THIS AGAIN

 

 

DOWN TO THE BULLIES :ph34r:

 

DIPS HOBBLES OFF

[Wyatt Earp]

EARPIE YOU SAID 3 POSTS AGO YOU NOT POSTING ABOUT THIS AGAIN

 

 

DOWN TO THE BULLIES :ph34r:

 

DIPS HOBBLES OFF

 

Ag OK man, I won't post here again.

Off to have a coffee at Café RudeDan

[DIPSLICK]

Ag OK man, I won't post here again.

Off to have a coffee at Café RudeDan

 

CHILL EARPIE CHILL

[I am not SomeBloke]

When we manage to find out, wiki and all other sites can eventually be updated.

But at this stage it fluctuates heavily.

 

So you're not sure… but you're certain everyone else is wrong.

[Shebeen]

wow, some real pent up anger here against the brand. I'm gonna go with anecdotal evidence - I don't there is any empirical available, but the specialized brand has probably been the biggest growing one in the SA market in the past five years. This can be attirbuted to many things, but I would hazard a guess that the sales figures started skyrocketing on or about the time Burry signed up and started winning big races and epics on red bikes. (he was still with GT at the beijing olympics).

 

I don't like what they did here, but if i look at what they've done locally with songo, trails in stellenbosch etc. I think they've got some good karma round these parts....

 

not for the Specialised fanboys. Its never over

likewise, the haters always gonna hate.

[Wyatt Earp]

So you're not sure… but you're certain everyone else is wrong.

 

Shamepies, Somebloke.

Did you read what I said earlier, it's a controlling share in a factory, not the brand as all the old wives tales say.

As to the percentage, not even the people that printed or wrote the articles know the actual percentage other than the fact that Mike has the controlling share in said transactions.

 

 

Sorry Dips, I promised I won't post again.

Please all, direct your questions and kisses to me via pm. or create a different thread, a promise is a promise.