(Photo: Nutcase)
Portland’s bike industry is always in flux. Here at BikePortland we try to stay on top of it because a signficant part our region’s economic development, jobs market, and talent pool is tied in some way to bicycles.
Today we’ve got three tidbits to share…
Nutcase hires a new CEO
This is big. Portland-based helmet company Nutcase has just hired a big-name CEO. It marks a giant step for the company that had been run by its founders — Michael Morrow and Miriam Berman — since 2006. Not only that, but the new CEO, Scott Montgomery is kind of a big deal. Montgomery comes to Nutcase after being CEO of cycling apparel company Club Ride. Before that he spent over 30 years at Cannondale before leaving in 2003 as its vice president to become the general manager of another bike manufacturer, Scott.
With Montgomery’s experience, Nutcase is sure to hasten its growth and expansion. Next on the company’s radar? “Lifestyle products.”
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Walnut Studiolo opens new workshop on the Oregon Coast
Walnut is like the little engine that could. Ever since I first met owners Geoff and Valerie Franklin at BikeCraft in 2009, I had a feeling they were destined for great things. In the past seven years they’ve introduced one amazing, handmade leather product after another: from their famous six-pack holders to their sew-on leather handlebar tape.
As their business blossomed they outgrew their southeast Portland garage and decided to look for a new workshop. They found it on the edge of Nehalem Bay on the Oregon Coast. “The Oregon Coast is rugged and gorgeous, and it now inspires everything we do,” they wrote in a recent customer email. We’re sorry to see Geoff and Valerie leave our city, but it’s exciting to see them grow and follow their dreams! Good luck guys! We can’t wait to see how your new location inspires your amazing offerings.
Rawlands launch at Velo Cult
Rawlands Cycles is an up-and-coming niche bike brand that will debut its two new models at Velo Cult this Saturday. The bikes are sure to be hits in Portland, given the love many of us have for adventurous riding that often goes beyond the pavement.
Roll over to Velo Cult from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on Saturday night for a sneak peek at the new “Ravn” rando gravel racer and the “Ulv” adventure bike. Velo Cult is Rawlands’ flagship dealer so there’s bound to be some good swag in addition to the excellent beer, coffee, sandwiches and music you’ve come to expect.
Read more local industry news via the Industry Ticker archives.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Can’t wait to actually see the Rawland bikes…they sound more “shreddable” than a Vanilla!
Would be totally awesome if the Rawland website featured photos of their product instead of not, I guess. Vikings were no match for indigenous north Americans for centuries, BTW. Ha. Oh, bicycle marketing!