cyclingnews.com Shimano delayed
Due to unexpectedly larger orders in the latter parts of last year, Shimano is experiencing delays in getting some components to bike manufacturers and retailers. With the 2004 Shimano range seeing two completely revised groups, as well as an increase in OEM orders, Shimano thought it had covered its bases with the projected increase in demand. However, with some groups seeing orders of up to 400% above 2003 orders, the company has been taken by surprise and has told companies to expect lengthy delays if they didn't get orders in early.
"We projected a big increase in demand for some new products introduced (XTR, XT, Dura Ace), but we could not foresee the magnitude of the overall market development. For example, the worldwide orders we received for Ultegra components for the shipment in the first half of 2004 have been five times larger than the previous year, and the orders for Deore components have been three times more than its usual volume," Hiro Hirata, vice president of sales for Shimano's Bicycle Components Division, told the Bicycle Retailer magazine.
"Overall, we managed to increase the capacity by 20 to 25 percent in that short period (since 2004 ordering began), but a further increase has not been possible as our factories are already running seven days a week in several shifts," Hirata said.
Shimano hopes to get deliveries back to normal as soon as possible.
Due to unexpectedly larger orders in the latter parts of last year, Shimano is experiencing delays in getting some components to bike manufacturers and retailers. With the 2004 Shimano range seeing two completely revised groups, as well as an increase in OEM orders, Shimano thought it had covered its bases with the projected increase in demand. However, with some groups seeing orders of up to 400% above 2003 orders, the company has been taken by surprise and has told companies to expect lengthy delays if they didn't get orders in early.
"We projected a big increase in demand for some new products introduced (XTR, XT, Dura Ace), but we could not foresee the magnitude of the overall market development. For example, the worldwide orders we received for Ultegra components for the shipment in the first half of 2004 have been five times larger than the previous year, and the orders for Deore components have been three times more than its usual volume," Hiro Hirata, vice president of sales for Shimano's Bicycle Components Division, told the Bicycle Retailer magazine.
"Overall, we managed to increase the capacity by 20 to 25 percent in that short period (since 2004 ordering began), but a further increase has not been possible as our factories are already running seven days a week in several shifts," Hirata said.
Shimano hopes to get deliveries back to normal as soon as possible.