Breaking News: Cycle Lab Acquires Chris Willemse Cycles

[Dirkitech]

 

To celebrate with us, SMS "LUV CWC" to 49020 before midnight on Sunday 26th August, and we will SMS you a mystery discount code ranging from R100 to R1000 that is redeemable when you shop at Chris Willemse Cycles or at any Cycle Lab, but only during our BIG Sale from 24 August-2 September. Sorry, not redeemable online at cyclelab.com or cwcycles.co.za. Hurry now!

 

You peaked my curiosity and I bit!

 

Happy to see the participation and links from CWC side, in spite of anything said.

[LeoKnight]

For those of us not having FB, what is the short summary of what they said?

 

You peaked my curiosity and I bit!

Happy to see the participation and links from CWC side, in spite of anything said.

[Simon Kolin]

 

CHRIS WILLEMSE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CYCLE LAB PARTNERSHIP

 

Chris Willemse and Chris Willemse Junior give some insight into what CWC customers can expect following the Cycle Lab acquisition. And the name Chris Willemse Cycles? Here to stay!

Cape Town would not be the same without it.

The BIG Sale kicks off tomorrow (Fri 24 Aug). Check out the deals here: https://cyclelab.com/august-sale-2018. Everyone is invited to shop with us at Cycle Lab or Chris Willemse Cycles!

To celebrate with us, SMS "LUV CWC" to 49020 before midnight on Sunday 26th August, and we will SMS you a mystery discount code ranging from R100 to R1000 that is redeemable when you shop at Chris Willemse Cycles or at any Cycle Lab, but only during our BIG Sale from 24 August-2 September. Sorry, not redeemable online at cyclelab.com or cwcycles.co.za. Hurry now!

 

SMS must be received by Sunday night! 

T&Cs 

 

 

 

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE 

 

 

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Just want to confirm. Are you discounting against the already discounted prices advertised?

Are you also going to increase the range of items for discount or will it just stay the CL overstock items?

[Patchelicious]

If you are a true fan of Oom Chris and CWC then rather show your support, thank them for the years of service and wish them luck. Instead of these selfish tantrums about not liking their CL acquisition.

 

I promise you, the Oom handing over his life’s work is a lot harder on him than it is on you. Jeezuz, can we not just be happy for somebody without thinking how we are being victimised?

[Kranswurm]

If you are a true fan of Oom Chris and CWC then rather show your support, thank them for the years of service and wish them luck. Instead of these selfish tantrums about not liking their CL acquisition.

 

I promise you, the Oom handing over his life’s work is a lot harder on him than it is on you. Jeezuz, can we not just be happy for somebody without thinking how we are being victimised?

Well said

My thoughts precisely

[Dirkitech]

For those of us not having FB, what is the short summary of what they said?

Chris and Chris Jnr are staying in the business with the only planned changes being that they'll be changing prices "for the best" and will stock wider ranges of products/lineups.

[ABrooks]

I have never dealt with CL, but there seems to be a lot of negativity towards them, for all we know they acquired CWC to make use of their parallel imports. This might just be a change for the better, especially with Chris and Chris Jnr staying in the business as Dirki mentioned. We will just have to wait and see, and if service and prices indeed go to hell as many fear then I am sure another store will jump at the opportunity to replace what CWC provided.

[LeoKnight]

Chris and Chris Jnr are staying in the business with the only planned changes being that they'll be changing prices "for the best" and will stock wider ranges of products/lineups.

 

SO does it mean this thread will not have a big Friday HOOORAAA??

[shaper]

Oh look... another day and the sky hasn't fallen down!!

[Hacc]

I had only excellent service from CWC. Like so many other people I don't like CL.

 

CL should have a representative on the BikeHub. There are so many knowledgeable posts and feedback on the Bikehub. They can gain so much insight on what they can change/improve on (obviously if they are willing to change). Use BikeHub for research. 

 

The other smaller online stores should seriously up their game now. This is a golden opportunity to grow their businesses.

[hboli4]

So dont know if this information has been posted yet but I spoke to a source at CL and he told me that CL cannot compete agains CWC in thie shimano market. The "merger" if you want to call it that will be for back office only to share buying channels thus making CL pay less for Shimano components and potentially bring it to market cheaper by sourcing it through CWC's channels.

 

CWC will then again be able to leverage the CL channels that they have locally to source alternative producs to expand their product offering.

 

From what was said CWC and CL will in essence remain the same with their own pricing models and pricing values. This is purely to expand contract part sourcing and making it more affordable.

 

NOW... If all of this is true or will happen that way is yet to be seen but thats what I was told when I asked the questions. Considering I was just at CL and used CWC pricematch to lower 2 prices. So far nothing has changed and we will wait to see how this unfolds without throwing stones in the air randomly... they might just come down and hit you yourself. 

 

This sounds about right to me and seems to make the most sense from a business point of view.

 

I have used CWC a couple of times over the years and have always had a good experience, cannot comment on Cycle Lab as I've never used them. I use my LBS for most things and have built a solid relationship with them but will buy something online if the price is good and my LBS doesn't stock it.

[karma]

Any specials on full XT pedals please Oom Chris?

[T-Bob]

The CL 'big sale' started today. Hand up if you found anything good. 

 

Look, I'm pleased for the Snr and Jnr. They have built up a brilliant and successful business and could probably sold on a fair few times over. They have always given members on the hub a great deal, the tygerberg discount and supported events etc. That said they are all good business decisions that ultimately benefit the brand as well as the customer. I've always been treated very well and had great service consistently. A lot of other shops would like to do so well. 

 

They have worked hard, I hope they are going to carry on as CWC always have and I hope they benefit from putting in the hard yards. Building and keeping any business in SA is never an easy thing and bike shops come and go with a lot of blaming of the industry, margins and more. 

The flip side of the coin is my experience with CL in Cape Town and surrounds was never good. I've known franchise operators up country and they were less then complimentary but it was a long time ago I actually walked into a CL store. Maybe it's different now. The marketplace certainly is and there are a lot more options to the customer online and on the ground than when they were last here. 

[T-Bob]

Okay... been through the 'big sale' and it' ain't that big. Also you're a bike shop at least have a section in your menu labeled 'wheels' or 'rims'. you do a search and there is 1 set if R18k syncros wheels but they have spokes Jeez I hope Jnr and Snr can guide them in the right direction or at least keep on keeping on. 

[stefmeister]

If you are a true fan of Oom Chris and CWC then rather show your support, thank them for the years of service and wish them luck. Instead of these selfish tantrums about not liking their CL acquisition.

 

I promise you, the Oom handing over his life’s work is a lot harder on him than it is on you. Jeezuz, can we not just be happy for somebody without thinking how we are being victimised?

Don't worry, first sale and all will be forgotten.

[GLuvsMtb]

Ok my 2c:

1. Mergers and acquisitions are drawn out transactions that takes years to conclude. Rumors about the merger/ acquisition has been doing the rounds since early 2016, so it is clearly a very well structured deal.

2. You can be sure that the current management team would be under huge pressure to maintain sales volumes and GP margins. It will be part of the deal and the bulk of the cash / shares (often shares are part of the deal to lock the management team in further) will flow anything from 2 to 5 years from now, so for the Willemses to now take their foot off the gas would be incredibly stupid. Expect much more of the same in terms of pricing and service.

3. I doubt there are much left of the CL contingent that was implicated in the whole price fixing scandal (is Mighty Mouse still actively involved at CL?), so those who are still upset about this need to now relax please.

4. Expect a possible backward acquisition of Coolheat by Morecorp in the next couple of months. This may well need competition commission clearance, so it may take a bit of time. For me this is the next move for Morecorp to grow their market share in the Cycling industry.