Feb 10th, 10. Sheppard Industries, who run the AvantiPlus stores around New Zealand, have ended their relationship with Specialized and are to partner with Scott Sports. 

The widely rumoured change was made official today with the release of two statements from Sheppard Industries.

"We are extremely proud of the way we have represented Specialized over the past 12 years. However, philosophical differences meant that any way forward would have been difficult," said Chris Sutton, the Group Marketing Manager in the first statement.

Sheppard Industries added that sales and warranty obligations will continue until August 31st this year.

In a second statement also issued today, Beat Zaugg, the CEO of Scott Sports announced his company will take an equity interest in Sheppard industries.

Sheppard Industries has entered into an agreement to distribute Scott bikes and cycling products into the New Zealand and Australian markets starting from the 2011 product line.

John Struthers, CEO and owner of Sheppard Industries is excited about the future with Scott Sports.

"This is a most welcome and strategic initiative from Scott Sports and is a great opportunity for our business. For us it is the ideal partnership combining the strengths of the world's leading bicycle brand with the knowledge, experience, resources and market understanding of a successful Australasian based company. We are rapt to be distributing their quality range of products and it's an exciting future for us, our dealers and our customers."

Scott Sports is a world leader in the development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of high end performance products intended for biking, winter sport, motorsport and running. Scott Sports SA is a 100% Management owned company, with over 450 employees and distribution in more than 50 countries.

Sheppard Industries is a family owned business based in both New Zealand and Australia and is the successful distributor of many global bicycle industry brands as well as its own product lines. It has been owned and operated by John Struthers and his family for the past 28 years and is the largest bicycle wholesaler in Australasia.

In New Zealand, Colorado Traders will hand over the Scott bicycle part of their business to Sheppard Industries in May 2010. For the Australian market the distribution of Scott products will be handled parallel between Sheppard Industries and Sola.

Zaugg and Struthers agreed that "this exciting synergy of two great companies is a solid base for growing the Scott brand in these two strategic markets".

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