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Orbea Delivers Strong UK performance ahead of 2017 Launch
2016-05-24
Orbea is preparing for their 2017 launch with a series of UK and Ireland roadshows, off the back of a hugely successful 2016
The Basque brand has delivered 54% growth in the UK/IRL markets for the 2016 model year.
‘The sales we experienced across the board were exceptional by any standards,’ says Damian Hackett, Head of Marketing and Sales for Orbea UK & Ireland. ‘While our product has definitely moved forward at an exceptional pace, it is a combination of having built a strong, committed sales team and working with some of the best dealers that I believe has really secured us our biggest gains.’
While delivering the good news, Hackett points out that the brand has had to endure a difficult time these past few months. ‘We simply couldn’t keep up with the demand we were creating, not just in the UK and Ireland, but globally. Our MyO programme was massively oversubscribed and meant we had to pull our advertising after only a couple of months,’ he continued. ‘While we have invested heavily in personnel, increasing our facilities and completely overhauling our information systems, the resulting efficiencies and capacity will only really start to have an effect from our new 2017 range onwards. When you anticipate 20% growth and deliver upwards of 50% growth, the infrastructure just creaks under the pressure. Our investment this year is really an investment in reliability going forward.’
Known in the UK and Ireland mostly for its road product, Orbea has gained a huge reputation in recent years for its mountain bike offering, with models such as Rallon, Occam and Loki gaining enormous credibility in the expansive Enduro and Trail markets. While Orbea has further addressed the UK and Irish markets demands by developing specific bikes like the innovative new Vector and kid’s MX Park, in direct response to requests from their dealers. ‘It’s about acknowledging the subtle differences between what the UK and Irish markets demand, and what other European and global markets need,’ explains Jon Gantxegi, Orbea’s leisure and E-cycling product manager. ‘Listening to the market closely and basing our development around those demands has meant our range for 2017 has filled every sector with a product that stands up to intense scrutiny,’ he says.
Orbea will also be showcasing its full eBike range (including the exciting new Wild e-Mountain bike) as well as Orca triathlon 2017 product, and for the first time, its new Orca Custom clothing range, at its dealer roadshows starting in June. ‘With our aggressive dealer terms, and massively evolved range, we really feel that our dealer shows will attract the best IBDs from around the country this year,’ says Hackett
Orbea 2017 Dealer Show Schedule:
Tuesday, June 21st
Dublin
Westmanstown Conference Centre
Lucan Road
Clonsilla
Dublin 15
Tuesday, 5th July
Wetherby
The Bridge Hotel
Walshford
Wetherby
LS22 5HS
Thursday, 7th July
Edinburgh
EICA RATHO
South Platt Hill
Newbridge
EH28 8AA
Tuesday, 12th July
London
Sandown Park
Portsmouth Road
Esher, Surrey
KT10 9AJ
Thursday, July 14th
Bristol
Bristol Golf Club
St Swithens Park, Blackhorse Hill
Almondsbury
Bristol
BS10 7TP
