Generationskifte hos Specialized
Pressemeddelser 18. marts 2022 CYKELPORTALEN
Specialized har altid været dybt knyttet til Mike Sinyard og hans retning … på godt og ondt, naturligvis afhængig af hvilke briller du tager på. For insidere har Mike siden starten haft en nærmest kultagtig status på linie med Steve Jobs og Elon Musk blot for a nævne to.
Ligesom alle andre brancher, har cykelindustrien, specielt blandt de gamle etablerede, stadig den stædige indspiste holding, når nogen stikker af og vil gøre tingene på deres. egen måde, så “skal de ikke tro de er noget” og forstår ikke branchen og dens “spilleregler”
Det er altid svært at gå mod strømmen og de fleste når sjældent særlig langt, når de skal stå model til de etableredes voksen mobning. Men det er en kendsgerning at dem som gør og lykkes med det, i sidste ende får hele den øvrige flok til at følge efter og forsøge at gøre noget lignende.
Så når en af cykelbranchens store drenge som i den grad har været centreret om dens grundlægger gennem de seneste 48 år nu vil overlade rorpinden til en outsider, så er det ret skelsættende og det bliver spændende at se hvad det betyder på den lange cykelbane.
Selvom Mike med 72 år på cykelskalaen ikke længere er nogen vårhare, har han ifølge ham selv, aldrig haft så megen energi. Han slipper dog ikke helt tøjlerne og vil sikkert holde godt øje med den nye “lærling” i rollen som bestyrelseformand, konsulent og cykeltester. Ny mand ved roret hedder Scott Maguire og har tidligere været 18 år hos støvsugerbanden Dyson. Om han så er en, der kan og tør trænge igennem over for the “Grand Old Man” og at Mike tilsvarende giver ham lov, må vise sig. Under alle omstændigheder bliver det lidt af en læringsrejse for dem begge.
Vi lader Mike’s egen pressemeddelse tale
Morgan Hill, Calif., March 16, 2022 — Forty-eight years after starting Specialized, founder Mike Sinyard announced the appointment of Scott Maguire as CEO. As Founder, Chairman, and Chief Rider Advocate, Mike remains fully engaged as the brand’s visionary leader. The dream has always been to create Specialized Forever, which means ensuring that Specialized goes on indefinitely, longer than any individual, including Mike himself. Scott will own the responsibility of running the business and will report to Mike. Specialized will remain an independent, passion-driven company with the freedom to invest.
Scott joins the company from Dyson where he spent eighteen years in various leadership positions. This includes SVP Engineering & Operations, and culminating in his role Chief Operating Officer, a post he has held for the past two years. Scott holds a master’s degree in Product Design Engineering from the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art.
“Mike and I clicked from the go. We both came from hardworking families which gave each of us the belief that with hard work, ingenuity, and collaboration dreams become reality,” said Scott. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to lead this revered brand into the future. There’s never been a team this strong in the bicycle industry and the Specialized innovation engine, product, and distribution is unmatched. We have everything we need to deliver products, experiences, and services that matter to riders around the world and affect positive global change.”
“I have more energy now than ever,” said Mike. “With Scott coming on board to run the business, I can focus on better serving riders, providing them with products, services, and experiences they’ve never dreamed of.”
“Specialized is what it is today because of our people, our riders, and our retailers.” said Mike. “Learning is part of who we are. That’s always been part of the Specialized way. I have been looking for the ideal leader for Specialized for years; Scott is perfect because he integrates design thinking, engineering capability, supply chain expertise, and operational excellence to drive meaningful innovation to customers and employees. On top of that, Scott brings together and leverages the strengths of diverse people and cultures to create simplicity out of complexity.”
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