Dutch bicycle tire manufacturer A. Dugast, best known for its handmade cotton and silk tires for cyclocross, track and road racing, has been fully acquired by Italian bicycle tire giant Vittoria Group. As a result of the deal, A. Dugast’s CEO Richard Nieuwhuis has received an undisclosed minority stake in the Vittoria Group. Together with his team, he will continue to manage A. Dugast, but will also take an active role in the Vittoria Group’s innovation processes. No details were provided about the purchase price.
According to a jointly prepared plan, the two companies intend to strengthen the development and production capacities of both bicycle tire brands. With A. Dugast’s profound market, product and process know-how in cotton and silk tubes, the Vittoria Group also intends to consolidate its reputation as an expert in high-quality specialty tires.
The A. Dugast factory in the Netherlands will ensure a more balanced production footprint for the entire Vittoria Group in the future. And thanks to the Dutch production facility, Vittoria customers can also be served with special products and limited series. While the A. Dugast factory will also become a regional asset for circular solutions and sustainable product research, the Vittoria Group continues to develop and produce at its Lion Tyres Thailand (LTT) factories in Thailand.
