Together with South African cycling tour operator Cycling Friends, German premium bicycle supplier Storck Bicycle opened the Storck Studio Cycling Friends in April. The man behind the tour operator (www.cycling-friends.com) is Stefan Lohwasser, the father of Storck Bicycle’s managing director, Dr. Todor Lohwasser. Stefan Lohwasser joined Storck as a shareholder last year and manages the new studio, which is located in Cape Town’s affluent suburb of Green Point.
The new studio fits perfectly into the bike brand’s concept store strategy. In addition, the region around Cape Town is ideal for road and mountain bike enthusiasts. With sales, rental, bike tour offerings and a café, the Storck Studio Cycling Friends is considered a real eye-catcher, and not just in Cape Town. Both partners point out that the new studio is also a matter of the heart: Through numerous social projects, Stefan Lohwasser actively wants to make cycling accessible to those for whom it is not something they can take for granted. This intention, for example, gave rise to the Cycling Friends Pro Racing Team, which has already been able to prove itself successfully in the South African championship.
Storck Bicycle expects a large increase in customers from the new cooperation. “Cycling Friends is incredibly well connected in the region’s cycling scene thanks to its own team - Storck Bicycle can only benefit from this. We know from experience that our products are extremely well received in South Africa,” said Todor Lohwasser.
