BUSINESS PROFILE
AS THE TEAM IS SPREAD ACROSS THE GLOBE , THE MAIN SOURCE OF COMMUNICATION IS THROUGH EMAILS AND CALLS .
The Armour product is largely gaining interest particularly from the mountain biking sector and also commuters seeking peace of mind at a relatively low cost .
Both Airless and Armour have attracted the interest of a number of prominent bike brands such as Japanese brand , Chacle , whose bikes are fitted with Airless tyres and sell at least 50,000 bikes with Airless tyres per annum . Similarly , Rad Power Bikes have purchased over 20,000 custom Armour units in 2020 to fit their e-bikes .
TI ’ s client base is broadening as a number of micro-mobility OEMs outside of pure cycling ( e . g . wheelchairs , pushchairs and e-scooters ) have shown an interest in TI products , particularly Airless tyres .
What has your career looked like so far ?
My initial experience in the industry was acquired as Sales Manager at mail order company , Sterling House , where I played a large part in introducing remote control helicopters and fully assembled mail order bikes to the UK public .
I have over 20 years ’ experience in the bicycle industry and have managed Tannus ’ international distribution operation since 2013 . I was previously Head of Sales and Marketing at Universal Cycles ( acquired by Sports Direct ) for almost 10 years and following this , founded Chillbikes , which became a global custom bikes brand . The aim is to continue growing TI as the CEO and bring the attention of the market to the Airless and Armour products .
Which market do you provide services for ?
TI provides to the bicycle industry which is forecasted to grow immensely over the next decade and thus is opportune for TI ’ s product to reach as many customers in the market as possible as they offer a more stress-free way of cycling . Currently , TI products are suited to mountain bikers and everyday commuters . TI hopes to be able to expand into e-bikes , as not only does it open up the idea of cycling to those who would ’ ve been more hesitant before , but provides an added level of safety to the experience . The bicycle industry can be appreciated on a global scale due to the increased interest in fitness thus TI has no limits as to where it can supply its products to , especially with leading global distributions partners such as Akrovalis , Messingschlager , Moore Large and others .
How do you equip your staff with skills and knowledge ?
We hire the best in the business and are always looking to apply their knowledge and palette of skills in everyday work . The work can be challenging especially during testing times such as COVID-19 but the distributors have done an exceptional job in tripling sales in some areas of the globe . The team are always aware of new developments in the pipeline and the current movements of the company . Everyone is required to report back with updates and improvements that can be made .
How do you work with other executives within the C-suite to make sure your voice is heard ?
The main man with me is Youngki , who has been incredibly collaborative . We push ideas back and forth and ensure the team , as a collective , work well together . Although Youngki Lee is the CEO of the HQ and Co-Founder of TI ; he has placed most of the responsibility of executive decisions on me but will sign off on important decisions with me .
We are both aware of where our expertise lies and Youngki ’ s is very much focused on product development whilst I am concerned with growing the company through sales .
How do you ensure different teams in your organisation work together ?
TI has recently hired an Operations Manager to liaise between the different teams in the company and ensure that each one is aware of their role and how they all interlink . I prioritise relationships with my team and that spirit is evidently carried through all the members of TI . As the team is spread across the globe , the main source of communication is through emails and calls .
Anyone from any team can contact another without hesitation or the need to go through me . The goal for all is to grow the business over time by hitting targets and revolutionising the cycling industry on a global scale . With everyone having the same determination and the extra push from management , TI works harmoniously together . x
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