SEMG has strong omni-channel distribution and aspirational brands, says Venu
TVS Motor Company has taken a 75% stake in the Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG), reaffirming commitment to expansion in Europe through a portfolio of premium and leading technology brands, including Norton Motorcycles and EGO Movement, which were also recently acquired.
TVS Motor Company Chairman Venu Srinivasan said of the acquisition, “TVS Motor has always been committed to sustainability and has been investing in electric vehicles for over 10 years.
“The increasing global focus on the environment and personal well-being is rapidly accelerating demand for newer mobility solutions, and TVS Motor is investing to drive this change.”
Speaking on the occasion, Sir Ralf Speth, Chairman designate, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Motor is committed to being at the forefront of e-personal mobility globally.
“SEMG complements our acquisitions of Norton Motorcycles and EGO Movement and strengthens our commitment to environmental sustainability. We offer our customers a compelling portfolio of technologically advanced and environment friendly products.”
Adding on, Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “This acquisition furthers TVS Motor’s commitment towards e-personal mobility products. We are strengthening our presence in the rapidly growing e-bikes segment.
“SEMG has strong omni-channel distribution and aspirational brands, including Cilo, Simpel, and Zenith – Bikes. I’m excited to enhance the product range further and scale the company in the DACH region and beyond. I’d like to convey my thanks to CONSTELLATION CAPITAL and Rainer Fröhlich for this foundation which we will build on.”
E-bikes are establishing themselves as the de-facto form of personal mobility in Europe due to the increased ease of usage, regulatory support, and overall perception as a sustainable form of transport. With a current penetration of approximately 15% of the total bicycle population in Europe and growing at a CAGR of ~18%, the market for the e-bicycle holds significant growth potential.
Rainer Fröhlich, Founder and Managing Partner, CONSTELLATION CAPITAL, emphasised, “In TVS Motor, we have found the ideal and an exceptionally dynamic partner for SEMG to reinforce and expand the Group’s position as a market leader.
“The strategy of having a global leader like TVS as a majority shareholder not only offers untapped potential in quality assurance and procurement in the global supply chain but also lays the foundation for future expansion of the group beyond national borders.”
The acquisition has been made in an all-cash deal through TVS Motor’s Singapore Subsidiary, TVS Motor (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
SEMG is a market-leading provider of e-mobility solutions within the DACH region, operating the largest pure-play e-bike retail chain M-way in Switzerland with close to US$100 million in revenue. The company has a prestigious Swiss mobility brands portfolio, including Cilo, Simpel, Allegro, and Zenith – Bikes. By combining its extensive physical network and e-commerce platform with two online platforms and 31 physical stores, SEMG is able to deliver a seamless and world-class customer experience.
TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer and is the flagship company of the USD 8.5 billion TVS Group. We believe in Championing Progress through Mobility. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of Trust, Value, and Passion for Customers and Exactness, we take pride in making internationally aspirational products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. We endeavour to deliver the most superior customer experience at all our touch points across 70 countries. We are the only two-wheeler company to have received the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys for five years. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for consecutive four years.
The Swiss E-Mobility Group AG was incepted as a part of the CONSTELLATION V fund in 2018, and advised by CONSTELLATION CAPITAL AG, one of Switzerland’s leading investment firms. Since then, SEMG has been pursuing a growth strategy combining organic and inorganic opportunities through the acquisition of various companies in the e-mobility industry. SEMG represents a Switzerland based institution in the fast-growing e-mobility market, offering traditional Swiss and other attractive bicycle complementary services via a customer-centric multi-channel strategy in the DACH region. Their portfolio of four own e- bike brands (Simpel, Cilo, Allegro, Zenith) are relevant across all major e-bike segments from E-city, E- mountain bikes to niche segment in Speed Pedelec. SEMG’s role as a key distributor of major e-bike brands (Cube, Haibike, Canondale, Kalkhoff, Focus, Stromer, Moustache, KTM, etc.) also provides customers with a holistic range of e-bike products to choose from. fiinews.com
