Canada-based BRP has acquired a stake of 80% in German gearbox technology provider Pinion for an undisclosed price.
Pinion is engaged in designing, developing, assembling, and selling mechanical gearboxes for conventional and electric bicycles.
Its gearboxes are said to be modeled after automobile transmission technology.
Headquartered in Denkendorf, the company has a team of more than 60 people. It was established by automotive engineers Christoph Lermen and Michael Schmitz in 2008.
The two co-founders and managing directors of Pinion will continue as shareholders of the company.
Pinion co-founder and managing director Christoph Lermen said: “BRP’s culture of relentless innovation and focus on R&D mirrors our own. We are proud to join such a respected company and look forward to breaking new ground with them.
“Together, we will continue providing class-leading Pinion gearbox technology to our 100+ valued bicycle manufacturers while at the same time expanding our offering and developing next-generation drive solutions.”
BRP is involved in powersports products, boats, and propulsion systems. The company’s products include Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons, Quintrex and Alumacraft boats, Rotax marine propulsion systems, Manitou pontoons, and Rotax engines for recreational aircraft and karts.
BRP president and CEO José Boisjoli said: “Beyond our existing powersports and marine products, we are expanding our addressable market and entering untapped categories such as urban mobility and services.
“This acquisition is strategic for us as it enables BRP to leverage Pinon’s unique, state-of-the-art technology in order to spur the development of new electric human assisted products.”
The deal with Pinion follows BRP’s acquisition of Great Wall Motor Austria, an electric vehicle (EV) research and development (R&D) centre in Kottingbrunn, Austria.
Great Wall Motor Austria’s specialisation in e-drive systems and transmissions is expected to strengthen the expertise of BRP in electric powertrain technology for existing product lines as well as future product introductions.
