Haro Bicycle Corporation, based in Vista, CA, announced that it is expanding its product development, sales and supply chain group as part of a company-wide effort to strengthen its capabilities to benefit its dealer and distribution network worldwide. This includes staff enhancements, a European-based sales and distribution operation and a newly-created supply chain group based in Taiwan.
The Director of Product Development will be lead by Lars Svalin, an industry veteran with three decades of experience, who spent most of his career with Cycle Europe. Working with brands including Bianchi, Crescent, Tec, and Spectra, Svalin’s product management experience includes complete bicycles, parts and accessories. He reports directly to Haro CEO Jayu Yang.
“I am super excited to have the opportunity to work for a global brand like Haro who´s focused on innovation and growth. Haro is a company that is driven by a passion for bikes, and Im looking forward to being a part of the success our mutual efforts will lead to,” said Svalin, who will split his time between his home in Varberg, Sweden and Haro based in Vista, CA.
Haro also announced the creation of Haro Europe under the management of Jan Teigelhoff, its European COO. Teigelhoff brings with him a diverse cycling background spanning nearly 20 years that includes retail, sales and marketing for companies including Decathlon, BICO and Kenstone Metal GmbH. He resides with his family in Paderborn, Germany.
Based in Salzkotten Germany, Haro Europe will focus its efforts on sales and distribution in Germany and in assisting Haro’s VP of International Sales Pete Garski with expansion and manufacturing efforts in Europe. Initially created in 2020, the company’s European development and progress were delayed due to the pandemic.
Teigelhoff said, “Haro is an iconic brand in the field of BMX. Few brands in the cycling sector offer such a wide variety of bikes from children’s bikes and core BMX to high-end E-MTB and professional components. This makes the tasks at Haro so diverse and interesting. For me, it is a super exciting challenge to build up a new location here in Germany working together with Pete, Jayu and the entire team from the USA.”
Haro Taiwan-Haro has also established a supply chain and engineering office under the guidance of Haro’s CEO, Jayu Yang.
Photo courtesy Haro Bicycle