WHO I AM
Edward J Eccleston
CYCLE EXECUTIVE - CYCLING ADVOCATE
SPEAKER
PRODUCT MARKETEER
I am an experienced executive with an extensive network of contacts who has gained considerable knowledge within the cycle industry including:
- Manufacturing
- Sales
- Distribution
- Product delevelopment
- General management
- Marketing
I have an open mind, I am tenacious and have an appetite for change.
I have resilience.
My previous position include:
- Sales and Marketing Diector of Falcon Cycles UK
- General Manager of British Eagle Cycles UK
- Managing Director of Peugeot Cycles UK
- Managing Director of Townsend Cyles UK
- Global Sales and Marketing Director Dahon Folding Bikes
- Group Main Board Director of Dahon International
I am currently the Sales Director of Maxcom Cycles who are a European manufacturer based in Bulgaria
I recently negotiated and concluded a global arrangement with the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn USA and Dahon International Ltd. for the development of specialist bikes built especially for some FORD car models and, the distribution globally, of Ford branded cycles.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31709204
One of my most satisfying achievement was introducing "FAT " tubes to cycle frames and this style of frame is now the standard in the world of cycles.
Link to text of the presentation to the European Council of Ministers.
http://www.employment.eutrio.be/eutrio/defaultEutrio.aspx?id=31170
See where I work- click MAXCOM LTD box
Eddie Eccleston
bikes & Cycling
FIND ME
Connect eddie.eccleston belgium
Email me Eddie.j.eccleston@gmail.com
ON YOU TUBE
Dahon 30 years
PRESENTATIONS OF NOTE
2010
E BIKES AND THE EUROPEAN MARKET
CHINA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION BEJING
2012
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN ELECTRIC ASSISTED CYCLE- P.R.E.S.T.O.
A EUROPEAN FUNDED IINITATIVE TO TRANSFER KNOWLEDGE
CROATIA AND POLAND
2013
CYCLING CAN PROVIDE GREEN JOBS IN EUROPE
SPEECH TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS - BELGIUM
My Most recent blog.
“THE FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT YOU NEED SUNGLASSES”
(A FUTURE IN THE CYCLE BUSINESS)
“THE FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT YOU NEED SUNGLASSES” (A FUTURE IN THE CYCLE BUSINESS) by Eddie Eccleston
Using yet another cliché statement one could say, “Every cloud has a silver lining”
Having enjoyed the experience of bikes and cycling in the industry on many levels, I can say there are bright days ahead for the business.
The pedal cycle business varies in terms of sales per capita and average selling prices depending on the nation you work in. I think most people know that Holland has a very large cycling population and, maybe to some extent it is convenient to have mostly flat surfaces to cycle. However, cycling usage does not always depend on this factor. In Holland, cycling accounts for over 30% of all transport used, compared with say the United Kingdom with under 3% usage but, Switzerland, that is not flat (nor dry) has a cycle usage double that of the UK.
There appears to be a correlation between cycle usage, average selling price and volume sold, whilst the distribution channels change too. Higher usage normally signifies that the cycles purchased are a tool of personal transport, rather than simple a leisure product. When a cycle is a means of everyday transport, then it must be reliable, comfortable, and efficient. When a cycle is simple “a good idea at the time” then, “cheap enough is good enough” as it will be used very little, this type of product, as cost as the key to purchase, it is sold from outlets such as Hyper-Markets, DIY stores and Mail Order outlets. Reliable pieces of personal transport are bought from reliable outlets, outlets that provide service, advice, and choice.
It is my premise that “higher cycle usage is a result of a larger infrastructure for cycling.”
My point is this. In the latest European white paper on transport, it states that to achieve pollution reduction, required by a commitment to the 20-20 initiative, transport and urban mobility would have to change. To effect this change they publish goals, two of these are, that “Combustion engines should be removed from all EU cities by 2050” and, “all combustion engines should be removed from all major cities by 2025.”, A bold step indeed. Evidence of the start of this remedial action to inner city pollution are early initiatives that are now in places like London and Paris, where charges have been introduced for high polluting vehicles, coupled with this action, there have been announcements of better infrastructure for safer cycling in the these cities. As these initiatives develop, cycling will defiantly feel the benefit.
The cycle industry in some nations will have to engage in research into models that will suit commuting, multi modal transport requirements and, produce models for inner city transport related to work such as, cycles to carry goods and people. The companies will be required to fully understanding the needs of “new to cycling” customers, focus on their needs and expectations and getting appropriate messages across to them using modern and traditional ways. A wonderful challenge none the less.
It is quite logical therefore to deduct that a ban on combustion engines will result in higher sales volume of bikes at higher prices that are sold via quality cycle outlets, a bright future indeed.
Eddie Eccleston
PAST VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
I was on the steering committee to whom the main board reported. Sustrans was charged by the Government to construct a Nation Wide infrastructure for cylcling.
The finacial support from Governments and Councils was in excess of £300 million pounds.
I served on this committee for 5 years.
I joined this organisation in 1984 and have held several positions.
I represented the BAGB in the European organisations associated with cycles.
I was the Chairman of the PR committee, served as Vice President and eventually President. I left when I chose to move to Belgium
This organiastion was formally known as COLIBI and COLIPED and served the interests of the European Cycle and parts industries. I served as a Board member of the two groups
I also served as Vice President and President of the Cycle sector.
UEAPME represents more than 12 million enterprises, which employ around 55 million people across Europe. I became their technical representative on the European standards committee for cycles. TC333 This was at the request of ETRA (European Two Wheeled Retailers Association)