Timeline

Chris Hornung, a designer, marketer and distributor of high quality, low cost bicycles, founded Pacific Cycle in 1977. The company pioneered the sourcing of bicycles from the Far East for distribution in the U.S., developing relationships with suppliers primarily in Taiwan and China. The company leverages these relationships to develop a line of high quality, branded products at some of the most compelling price points in the industry. Through the 1990s, the company broadened its product offering and built strong relationships with leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Toys "R" Us.

In 1998, Pacific completed a recapitalization where Wind Point Partners, a private equity investment firm, acquired a controlling interest. Chris Hornung retains a significant stake in the company and continues as C.E.O.

In December 2000, Pacific acquired the bicycle division of Brunswick Corporation. As part of the acquisition, the company obtained control of the Mongoose and Roadmaster brands. Mongoose had maintained a strong reputation for quality and performance, particularly among younger, BMX enthusiasts. Mongoose has recently been introduced into the mass channel.

In September 2001, Pacific acquired the bicycle asset of Schwinn/GT Corporation and obtained control of the Schwinn and GT brands. Although both brands had historically been sold only in the IBD market, Pacific later introduced Schwinn into the mass channel and GT into sporting goods.

Beginning later in 2002, Pacific introduced Schwinn products into the mass channel at Wal-Mart, Target and Toys "R" Us. In addition, the company introduced certain GT models into the sporting goods channel. Pacific sought to maintain its IBD distribution through exclusive lines of Schwinn and GT products.

In January 2004, Pacific Cycle is acquired by Montreal-based Dorel Industries Inc. Dorel Industries Inc., a global supplier of juvenile and home furnishing products. Pacific Cycle will continue to operate as a standalone division of Dorel.

Under the Dorel umbrella, Pacific Cycle continued to diversify its offerings. One example is Schwinn Motor Scooters, a brand extension and product line introduced in 2005. The scooters grabbed the attention of motorsports retailers quickly and proved to be a viable addition to Pacific’s growing line of products and distribution strategies.

2006 brought more exciting additions and changes to Pacific Cycle. In the summer of 2006 Pacific Cycle launched an aggressive marketing campaign for their Mongoose brand in China. Dorel also transitioned its electric toy division to Pacific Cycle. The electric division consisted of electric ride-on toys sold primarily to the mass retail channel however Pacific has plans of expanding this division in 2007. Also in 2006, Pacific Cycle launched the PlaySafe brand, a line of juvenile recreation products that includes swing sets.

2006 also closed a long and successful chapter for Chris Hornung as Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer. Hornung founded the company 30 years earlier and grew the company from a basic bicycle distributor to the world’s largest bicycle supplier and a house of established consumer recreation brands.

In 2007 Pacific Cycle’s President, Jeff Frehner, became President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Cycle. Under the leadership of Jeff and his management team, Pacific Cycle continues to offer consumers new and exciting products under its umbrella of brand names.