BikeTiresDirect parent company sold to Backcountry.com – BikePortland

Portland-based Velotech Inc. has been acquired by Backcountry. The sale was reported in Bicycle Retailer & Business Information Journal (BRAIN) on Thursday. Backcountry is an trade pioneer that made their first sale on the Web in 1996 and is basically credited with being the primary on-line retailer of out of doors items.

Velotech was based in 2002 and is the mother or father firm of e-commerce manufacturers BikeTiresDirect, Western Bikeworks and TriSports. Right here’s extra from BRAIN:

“Velotech’s cycling-first DNA and operational excellence make them a extremely strategic addition to Backcountry,” mentioned Kevin Lenau, the interim CEO of Backcountry. “This partnership is rooted in model independence and fueled by a shared ambition to raised serve riders all over the place.”

Velotech will proceed to function its present websites independently of Backcountry, in accordance with the corporate. “Over time, Backcountry and Velotech will discover alternatives to collaborate on product assortment, rider training, content material, and achievement to additional improve the client expertise,” the corporate mentioned in a launch.

“We’re excited to hitch the Backcountry household,” mentioned Jay Torborg, CEO of VeloTech. “Backcountry’s scale and out of doors experience will assist us serve extra riders than ever, whereas staying true to our roots.”

Reached through e-mail, Torborg advised BikePortland he’ll exit the corporate as soon as the mud settles. “I’m wanting ahead to retiring as soon as I’ve helped to ensure the integration with Backcountry goes effectively,” Torborg wrote. “I believe they are going to be an awesome companion.” 

A PR rep for Backcountry confirmed that Velotech will preserve their present warehouse and will-call showroom in Portland. “Velotech workers will proceed to function independently and clients can count on the identical nice value and same-day delivery,” I used to be advised.

This could be seen as an indication of life from Backcountry, who themselves have been bought by a non-public fairness group only one yr in the past.

Velotech used to function a retail retailer within the Pearl District underneath its Western Bikeworks banner, however closed that store in 2020 and consolidated into their present warehouse and showroom in northeast Portland close to NE 87th and Columbia Blvd.

Disclaimer: Velotech is an everyday BikePortland advertiser, however that relationship didn’t affect this story.