scotland - cycling

Scotland’s Pedal PowerA Presentation by Scottish Development International

We produce elite athletes including Sir Chris Hoy and Danny MacAskill and export top products across the world, while our facilities and trails are in constant demand by thousands of businesses and consumers each year.

With easy access to a network of exhilarating, challenging terrains and wild, untamed landscapes, mountain bikers are drawn to explore the country’s trails, tracks and purpose built trail centres. From families who enjoy a leisurely ride to adrenaline junkies who want to perform exciting stunts, our untamed back country, hills, glens and forests offer a spectacular background to rival any country in the world.

One of the country’s fastest-growing sports, investment in quality facilities, product and skills development has brought international recognition in recent years. The value of mountain biking and cycling to the Scottish tourism industry is now estimated to be worth up to £363 million per year to the economy*, making it a key part of our international appeal.

INTRODUCTION

Scotland is a global leader in mountain biking and cycling, recognised for both its sporting and technical excellence.

*The Value of Cycle Tourism – Opportunities for the Scottish Economy

Scottish Development International Scotland’s Pedal Power

http://transformscotland.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/The-Value-of-Cycle-Tourism-full-report.pdf

KEY FACTS

* 2015 estimate based on growth predictions in ‘Review of Scottish mountain biking developments and potential opportunities’ by University of Highlands & Islands Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research, 2012

+ Estimate from ‘The Value of Cycle Tourism – Opportunities for the Scottish Economy’ by Transform Scotland, June 2013

3879

1201.48M

JOBS SUPPORTED THROUGH MOUNTAIN BIKING TOURISM*

MOUNTAIN BIKING VISITS TO TRAIL CENTRES & WILDERNESS*

SUPPORTED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT BUSINESSES

ECONOMIC VALUE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING & LEISURE CYCLING COMBINED+

£363MINTERNATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION

Danny MacAskill’s video ‘The Ridge’ was produced by Scotland’s Cut Media and has been viewed more than 40 million times.

Scotland’s Pedal PowerScottish Development International

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_IQS3VKjA

World class facilities • Purpose built mountain bike trail centres –

Scotland is home to over 25 purpose built trail centres spread across Scotland including the innovative 7stanes trail centres. The 7stanes attracts over 500,000 visitors per year with Glentress, the UK’s premiere MTB destination, attracting over 300,000 visitors per year.

• Nevis Range – in the heart of Lochaber, the outdoor capital of the UK, Nevis Range has hosted the UCI Downhill World Cup since 2001 and along with the DH track it boasts a vast and varying range of mountain bike trails.

• Access – Scotland has some of the most progressive access legislation in the world allowing mountain bikers to create responsible adventures through our stunning hills and glens.

• Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – Built for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games the “Home of Scottish Cycling” has a full programme of training and competition events.

SECTOR OVERVIEW

The Hebridean Way

NC500

Awe inspiring cycle routesInternational events


http://www.7stanesmountainbiking.com/

http://bike.nevisrange.co.uk/

http://www.emiratesarena.co.uk/cycling/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/activities/cycling

https://www.northcoast500.com/itinerary/cyclists-(1).aspx

• Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, Glentress – a location where businesses can link with academia, elite riders and specialist advice to develop bike products and services. The proximity to the UK’s busiest trail centre, which attracts over 300,000 visitors per year, enables products to gain credibility and access to an international audience.

• Academia – Bike companies can utilise the expertise in Scottish esteemed universities to access a range of experts from sport scientists, psychologists, engineers, tourism specialists and more. Edinburgh Napier University is the academic lead for mountain biking and cycling in Scotland and has state-of-the-art equipment, such as an environmental chamber and have worked with elite athletes in all mountain biking disciplines. This provides an ideal opportunity to test products and athletes

Elite athletesScotland punches above its weight with scores of elite athletes, including Katy Winton (Trek Racing), Ruaridh Cunningham (Unior Tools), Lewis Buchanan (BMC), Greg Williamson (Cube), Grant Ferguson (Superior Brentjens MTB Racing Team).

Product Testing and Athlete Development

SECTOR OVERVIEW

Katy Winton Ruaridh Cunningham Lewis Buchanan Greg Williamson Grant Ferguson


• World famous scenery with open expanses of wilderness and rugged mountains

• Twice named the best place in the world to mountain bike

• Host of events that attract vast crowds of approximately 20,000 and worldwide TV audiences

• Knowledgeable professionals, elite athletes and world-leading businesses

• A reputation for innovation, research and development

• Access to world markets. With five international airports, Scotland is brilliantly connected to global markets including the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

• The Scottish Government is committed to developing Scotland as the world’s leading destination for b2b and b2c mountain biking and cycling

WHY SCOTLAND?


From high-end luxury products to functional, practical and desirable apparel developed for bike and rider, Scotland has a growing manufacturing cluster.

WORLD LEADING EXPORTS

We are exporting globally and our pioneering capabilities attract global media attention.

Scottish companies are developing products and technologies for cyclists and mountain bikers around the world. Well-known names include Endura, Cut Media, Teko, Findra and Trespass.

Our brands, along with representatives from Scottish Development International take a significant presence at EuroBike each year and are keen to meet with distributors and retailers.

Let us introduce you to our products.

Scottish Development International Scotland’s Pedal PowerScottish Development International

Scotland is a fantastic location for researching and developing new products. It has testing terrain and changeable weather conditions which ensures that if a product can withstand Scotland it will last across the world.

Many mountain biking and cycling products are tested in temperate climates which do not give a true reflection on how they will perform in countries with wet, cold and more challenging terrain – many products are not performing to their highest level for lucrative markets including the UK, Northern Europe, Northern America and Asia.

Scotland has a long history of pioneering research, development and manufacturing and the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland (MTBCoS), a national centre for innovation and excellence, is applying this history to support the development of innovative bike products.

MTBCoS could provide or facilitate the following for international bike brands:

• Access to Scotland’s academic base to develop prototypes, test and research new products or services

• Market research and focus groups

• Access to community of mountain bikers

• Specific expertise in textiles, engineering, sport science and technology

A DESTINATION FOR R&D AND INVESTMENT

If it works in Scotland, it will work anywhere!

Domestically, MTBCoS is considered a true Scottish success story, working with industry players such as textiles companies, bicycle manufacturers, security devices and makers of specialist equipment, the centre predicts a growth in turnover of collaborating businesses of £13.5 million over the next three years and the creation of 69 new jobs.

Let us help you to locate in Scotland.


As innovators, we have learnt many lessons and would like to work internationally to share our experience in:

• Creating a national strategy integrating participation, sport development and tourism & economic development

• Creating trail centres with purpose built trails for all abilities including disabilities

• Creating mountain bike destinations built on partnerships between businesses, land managers/owners and local communities

• Access rights & promoting responsible mountain biking

LEARN FROM SCOTLAND

Scotland leads the way in mountain biking destination development.

Let us share our expertise with you.

• Building sustainable trails for all weathers

• Providing pathways for athletes to achieve success on the world stage

• Promoting trails using innovative mapping techniques and processes

• Organising international mountain biking conferences

• Organising events, from world class to grass routes


As a four season destination, providing year-round opportunities, visitors come for more than the mountain biking and leisure cycling. The experience is interwoven with the Scots’ warm welcome, a rich culture and heritage to explore and a developing food scene to complement our national drink, whisky.

Biking in Scotland is year round. Our mountain bike centres are not exclusively at our ski centres giving fantastic opportunities for spring and autumn holiday experiences. These times of the year also provide tour operators with exceptional offers available from destinations and accommodation providers.

SCOTLAND THE BIKE TOURISM DESTINATION

In Scotland you are never far from world-famous purpose-built trails, or some great wilderness riding, unmarked trails or drove roads to explore.

Scotland welcomes tour operators and tourism organisations and annually hosts an international travel trade exhibition – VisitScotland Expo. Mountain biking and cycling are frequently part of the Scotland experience which surrounds the exhibition.

Scotland also boasts some of the best qualified and experienced tour operators, guides, skills instructors and coaches. Our tour operators have great experience of showcasing the finest aspects of Scottish cycling, mountain biking, accommodation and food and drink. Many guides and coaches work in collaboration with bike shops and provide a complete packaged experience for visitors.

Visit us and see what all the hype is about!


FINDRA

One size does not fit all

Based in Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, FINDRA is a fashion-led, performance-driven bike apparel brand designed specifically for women.

With over 20 years of experience working in the global textiles industry, Alex has designed for major brands such as Chanel, Calvin Klein and Barbour. It wasn’t until she took up mountain biking with her friends at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland’s base in Glentress Forest, that she identified a gap in the market for female friendly riding gear.

Launched in 2014 by designer and mountain biker Alex Feechan in response to the lack of female friendly sportswear options, the brand aims to empower women to look and feel good and help them perform their best when out biking.

Alex said: “It was apparent from existing collections that the ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach has been applied to women’s biking gear. Due to the physical nature of the activity it’s important that clothing is functional to enable the rider to perform well.

“Mountain biking is a lifestyle sport and bikers will stop for coffee or ride to work. There was an obvious need for appropriate clothing to suit these needs.”

Gearing up for success

In 2013 Alex went along to a Scottish Enterprise led Innovation Clinic held at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland to discuss her business idea and received tremendous support.

“From the word go the team at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland was behind me. They helped me develop my research and provided me with access to my target audience which was crucial in getting the idea off the ground.”

A support initiative from the Centre in 2013 saw Alex travel to the Eurobike trade show to learn more about the industry and make those vital connections with potential suppliers, media and customers.

In 2014 with a fully developed concept and tested product, FINDRA joined a Scottish collective taking part in Eurobike 2014 showcasing their products alongside well established names and brands on the mountain biking scene.

The brand officially launched in December that year with a series of pop-up events held around the UK.

“The team from the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland helped me through the launch of FINDRA, even lending a hand at the launch events. As a thank you for their support I even named some of my products after members of the team.”

White is the new black

For a new brand with a fashion focus, awareness is crucial. The new TV White Space Technology initiative now at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland’s Glentress base means that FINDRA’s newly launched brand ambassadors are now able to connect and share their experience of the brand across the company’s social media channels while they are out and about on the remote forest trails.

Alex said: “At the moment it’s all about us getting our brand name out there and getting that crucial brand awareness amongst female mountain bikers. We’ve just launched our first brand ambassador and it’s a great opportunity for them to stay connected with our growing audience while they are out biking.”

FINDRA is also sponsoring three mountain bikers in this year’s Glentress Seven, part of the TweedLove Bike Festival.


ENDURA

Endura was founded in Scotland with a no-nonsense commitment to advancing the performance of cycle apparel for all. Today it is clothing partner to the world’s top ranked UCI road team (Movistar Team), the Cervelo Bigla Women’s World Tour team, Danny MacAskill, Graeme Obree and a number of the world’s leading triathletes. Endura is now known as one of the world’s leading performance brands.

Endura’s R&D and product development takes place at its facility in Livingston, near Edinburgh, where the company employs around 105 people, with some manufacturing outsourced under strict ethical guidelines to China and Morocco. Around 60 per cent of Endura’s products are sold outside the UK, up from five per cent just nine years ago.

Endura’s managing director Jim McFarlane believes there is a growing appetite for Scottish cycling product expertise in international markets: “There are two reasons Scottish companies do so well abroad in the sector. Firstly, there is a great affinity for Scotland internationally. Wherever you go in the world, people know we have a great expanse of mountainous wilderness and the people are quirky, positive and friendly...and of course robust.

“Added to that our star is rising in the mountain biking and cycling world. When we take international visitors to Glentress for the day they are blown away by the facility. Likewise with Fort William. These facilities, as well as our skilled people and athletes, make Scotland very credible.”

Jim hopes to grow Endura’s sales in three key markets over the next few years – China, India and Japan. He will work closely with Scottish Development International to identify distribution channels and marketing opportunities.


SCOTTOILER SPORTS SOLUTIONS

Founded by Fraser Scott over 30 years ago, Milngavie based Scottoiler was originally established as an award winning designer and manufacturer of motorcycle chain lubrication systems.

To capitalise upon a boom in demand for high end cycling technologies, in 2015 the company launched its start-up, Scottoiler Sport Solutions, applying its experience in the motorcycle sector to develop the Scottoiler CYCLE S1, the first ever fully automatic chain lubrication system for bikes.

Scottoiler Sport Solutions has since invested in further R&D activity. The dedicated team of cycling enthusiasts

partnered with Edinburgh Napier University to examine the effects of chain lubrication on performance, and continue to harbour further ambitions for product development.

Andy Parker, Marketing Manager, said: “Our business has a strong focus on the major cycling markets and we aim to quickly grow our presence in the bicycle industry globally in line with our strategic plan.”

“With a strong R&D function continually developing future Scottoiler products we plan to bring the benefits of our range to a much wider global community in the future.”

“To this end, we have partnered with Scottish Development International on a number of projects including feasibility studies and focus groups to aid product development for further chain lubrication systems, participation at international events such as Eurobike and Interbike and the design of a wireframe for our new website.”

Ultimately Scottoiler Sport Solutions plans to further develop the business’ market positioning, developing products to target the high end, performance led consumer whilst expanding its presence in overseas markets.


TEKO SOCKS

Based in Edinburgh, the performance sock brand TEKO has built its reputation on a passion for the sport, product innovation and strong eco-credentials. TEKO was launched eight years ago to take advantage of a gap in the market for high performance, responsibly sourced socks and now enjoys a global following of biking, hiking, running and skiing enthusiasts.

TEKO’s design and product development process involves harvesting abandoned commercial fishing nets from fish farms and transforming these into regenerated polyamide – demonstrating the company’s commitment to responsible ecological initiatives. The resulting micron yarn (which is half the thickness of the best merino wool) helps make the Evapor8 socks smooth, comfortable, fast drying and astonishingly hard wearing.

The business now operates in over 15 countries worldwide, and recently won the ‘Sustainable Innovations’ award at the International Outdoor Industry Awards plus the ‘Performance Base-layer’ and ‘Eco Achievement’ Awards at the largest sports trade show in the world, ISPO, held in Munich in January. Around 50 per cent of TEKO’s products are now sold outside the UK, an increase of 25% per cent since 2014.

Gordon Fraser, owner of TEKO, is focussed on further product development focussed on circular economy: “Scotland enjoys a vibrant biking, hiking, running and skiing community and our Edinburgh base enables us to benefit from a network of innovation experts and the ability to test our products in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.

“Over the past 18 months we have partnered with SDI to develop our business model further, ranging from a strategic marketing review and networking at overseas trade shows to advice on protecting our Intellectual Property.

“Ultimately, our brand ethos is based on using sustainable raw materials, recycled yarns and maintaining a low carbon footprint – creating the best possible performance socks with the least environmental impact.”

Gordon hopes that the success of TEKO can act as a beacon to other outdoor sports companies and show that they can fulfil their global ambitions more readily by basing themselves within Scotland’s thriving marketplace.


JOYSTICK

Based in Edinburgh, Joystick, launched in 2011, is a collaboration between a small team of passionate riders with decades of industry experience. Today the mountain bike hardware provider supplies World Championship downhill riders and is known as one of the industry’s most successful brands.

Focused on creating bicycle components that exemplify their mission statement of ‘passion, engineering and design’, the ideals of the technical team and riders have since aligned to create precision engineering and a dynamic look which sets its technology apart.

Designed by riders for riders, Joystick designs handlebars, stems, saddles and bicycle components that

weave the latest technologies with custom flair out of their office in Vancouver at the heart of the international mountain biking industry.

Joystick’s Managing Director George Bowie is committed to bringing these state-of-the-art technologies to global attention with a keen eye on superior product development and testing and enhanced distribution facilities. “Our mission is to bring together engineering, design and community and our perfectionist team have a passion for advanced, quality-tested technologies.

“Given its varied terrain and superior conditions we believe there is nowhere better than Scotland to product test our hardware and we would encourage businesses in

the industry to explore the huge range of opportunities on offer to expand their R&D and testing capabilities.

“With World Championship downhill riders including Loic Bruni, Loris Vergier and Finn Illes fans of our products and an expanding sales and operations team, in the near future we are targeting opportunities to grow in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. “

George has ambitious plans for the business and aims to develop their global network further in the long term – ensuring the business is one of the top three brands in the mountain bike hardware industry within the next five years.


NEILPRYDE BIKES

For over 40 years NeilPryde has been elegantly engineering high performance products that go fast.

Originally specialising in windsurfing and kitesurfing products, the company diversified into the mountain biking market five years ago and has since committed to cutting edge design, product development, manufacturing and distribution in the performance sports industry.

Headquartered in Edinburgh, home to the company’s R&D, product development and testing of carbon technology and manufacturing processes, NP Cycle develops lighter, more responsive, robust and durable record-breaking bikes for athletes and has international growth ambitions.

NP Cycle’s Managing Director George Bowie, who took up the reins 18 months ago, is committed to developing the cycle arm of the brand.

“With Scottish mountain biking brands at the forefront of the industry and Scotland home to some of the world’s most challenging terrain and facilities from Glen Tress to Fort William, it’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry,” he said.

“The brand combines 40 years of carbon technical expertise and a deep understanding of aerodynamics principals at our fingertips with an agile distribution network and an ambition to succeed. The next challenge is to ensure our products reach a global audience of retailers and distributors to ensure we have a platform for future development and growth.

“We have a story to tell about our products and technology but just as importantly we create emotions that cyclists experience when riding and need to find a way of bottling it and sharing it with the global community”

George is committed to ensuring the company retains its position at the forefront of technological development through continued innovation and a strong distribution network in key markets such as Asia and North America. The company has ambitions to invest in the roadbike brand over the next ten years and will partner with Scottish Development International in areas ranging from new product development and product testing to sourcing global business connections.


We make commercialising business ideas easy for you and help minimise the risk of establishing or expanding an operation in Scotland – in many cases with direct financial support to help offset the company’s investment.

Scottish Development International (SDI) works with both Scottish-based and overseas companies and organisations. Its objective is to benefit the Scottish economy both by encouraging inward investment into Scotland and by helping Scottish-based companies to develop international business opportunities.

HOW SDI CAN ASSIST

We are committed to working with your company to help you find the optimal opportunity for your project.

SDI provides a wide range of support services, including advice, access to specialist expertise, selective business mentoring and development, market information, financial assistance, business location information, investor aftercare and specific services covering each phase of international trade activity.

More information can be found at www.sdi.co.uk


http://www.sdi.co.uk

MTB Trail Centres1. 7stanes Glentress2. 7stanes Innerleithen3. 7stanes Newcastleton4. Drumlanrig5. 7stanes Ae 6. 7stanes Mabie7. 7stanes Dalbeattie8. 7stanes Kirroughtree9. 7stanes Glentrool10. Isle of Arran 11. Whitelees12. Cathkin Braes13. Callendar Estate14. Carron Valley15. Loch Ard Family Sculpture Trails16. Comrie Croft Trails 17. Glencoe Ski Resort18. Nevis Range19. Laggan Wolftrax 20. Learnie Red Rock Trails21. Balblair22. Highland Wildcat23. Moray Monster24. Glenlivet25. Pitfichie 26. Highland Perthshire27. Angus28. Dundee29. Fife

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WHERE TO RIDE

Road Cycling Destinations 1. Cairngorms2. Loch Lomond & Trossachs3. Scottish Borders

Cycle Touring Routes 1. Hebridean Way2. North Coast 5003. Caledonian Way

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CURRENT BRANDS IN SCOTLAND


Scottish Development International HQ 5 Atlantic Quay 150 Broomielaw Glasgow G2 8LU

Enquiries Tel: +44 141 228 2828 Email: [email protected] www.sdi.co.uk

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sdi.co.uk

scotland - cycling

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