Advanced Sports, Inc., the owner the SE and Fuji Bikes brands, has reached an agreement to purchase Kestrel Bicycles. Under the agreement, ASI has acquired the rights to the Kestrel brand, trademarks and intellectual property, along with its marketing assets and all tooling. Silver Steep Partners served as the financial advisor for Kestrel.


“In acquiring Kestrel, ASI is one step closer to its goal of 10% market share (in the IBD),” said Patrick Cunnane, president of ASI. “From what we’ve learned about growing a niche brand through purchasing SE, I’m confident we can take on this new project and grow the Kestrel brand and ASI significantly.”


Sandpoint Design, Kestrel’s current owner, will continue to sell through its 2007 inventory. ASI will introduce the 2008 model line at Interbike. 2008 Kestrel framesets from ASI will be available in January 2008; complete bikes will be available starting February 2008. ASI said it will continue to invest in research on the materials, tooling and performance technology that have built the legacy of the Kestrel brand. “We are thrilled to acquire such a prestigious brand with a prominent position in the high-end road and triathlon markets,” Karen Bliss, ASI’s marketing manager, said in a prepared statement. “Kestrel has an extraordinary history of innovation in carbon technology-an asset we intend to build on.”