DGAP-News: MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG: Tablet

DGAP-News: MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG / Key word(s): Incoming Orders MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG: Tablet meets E-bike: Copenhagen opts for MIFA multi-user innovation (news with additional features) 22.08.2013 / 09:32 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tablet meets E-bike: Copenhagen opts for MIFA multi-user innovation Sangerhausen, August 22, 2013 - MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG, Germany's largest manufacturer bicycles in terms of sales, has received a production order in the growing business area of OEM production for industrial customers. As part of this order, MIFA will manufacture e-bikes for bicycle rental company Gobike International A/S, which is providing the Danish capital of Copenhagen with e-bikes for its municipal bicycle rental scheme. An electronic interface on the handlebars to which tablet PCs with GPS reception can be attached comprises a special feature of these e-bikes. All MIFA bikes used in Copenhagen are equipped with such tablet PCs. These allow users to download real-time information about their route, public transport departure and arrival times, as well as local sightseeing opportunities. The e-bikes are also equipped with a drive shaft instead of a bicycle chain, as well as with rupture-proof wheels to minimise maintenance-intensity. The City of Copenhagen will initially deploy these e-bikes at 65 rental points near to stations and central hubs. The new rental scheme started on 16 August with a major event held at Flintholm station under the motto 'World's best bike sharing system'. The scheme is distinguished by a well-thought-out infrastructure that allows users to utilise mobile apps to receive information at all times about availability and to make reservations. Along with representatives from the City of Copenhagen, the Danish Transport Minister and numerous VIPs, the start event was also attended by Michael Hecken, head of marketing and strategy at MIFA. Hecken is impressed by Copenhagen's new rental scheme: 'Copenhagen is positioning itself as a bicycle-friendly location just like many other European cities. The difference between Copenhagen and most other cities lies in the high quality of its rental concept, however. Our engineers adapted the e-bikes to the high requirements that multi-user vehicles must deliver. The interface for the touchscreen is the icing on the cake.' In cooperation with Leipzig-based bicycle rental company nextbike GmbH, MIFA has already been supplying the Polish capital of Warsaw with conventional bicycles since late summer 2012. Hecken regards Copenhagen as the next step, pointing to the growing importance of such rental schemes: 'Bicycles are rapidly gaining significance as flexible transportation means in major European cities. We are glad that MIFA also enjoys an excellent reputation as a manufacturer of technically high-quality bicycles across Europe.' About the company: MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG, which is based at Sangerhausen in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt region, is Germany's largest manufacturer of bicycles in terms of sales. The company produces an extensive range of bicycle models ranging from entry-price through to premium. The components utilised in bicycle production are purchased from renowned suppliers and assembled at the company's single production location in Sangerhausen. Business here focuses on project-related manufacturing to order for large retail chains and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customers. E-bikes have also been produced since the 2011 financial year. MIFA produces the e-bike for automotive manufacturer smart, Deutsche Post's bicycle fleet, and supplies municipal lending systems with multi-user vehicles. MIFA acquired Berlin-based e-bike manufacturer Grace and Bavaria-based cult bicycle forging company Steppenwolf in 2012, thereby intensifying its sales activities with specialist dealers. MIFA sells its bicycles primarily in its domestic market in Germany. Further sales markets are located mainly in Western Europe. Both the operating business and administration and logistics are managed from the single production site in Sangerhausen. MIFA sold 546,000 bicycles in the 2012 financial year (previous year: 644,000), generating EUR 111.3 million of revenue, representing a 10.7 % increase compared with 2011 (EUR 100.5 million). E-bikes comprised 30.0 % of total revenue (previous year: 12.5 %). After adjusting for acquisition effects, the company generated adjusted operating earnings (EBIT) of EUR 2.9 million (previous year: EUR 4.6 million), and adjusted net income of EUR 1.1 million (previous year: EUR 2.0 million). MIFA has been listed on the stock market since May 2004. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard of the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Contact: Mark Appoh cometis AG Unter den Eichen 7 65195 Wiesbaden Telephone: 0611-205855-21 Fax: 0611-205855-66 Email: appoh@cometis.de End of Corporate News +++++ Additional features: Picture: http://newsfeed2.equitystory.com/mifa/226935.html Subtitle: MIFA-E-Bikes in Kopenhagen --------------------------------------------------------------------- 22.08.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG Kyselhäuser Stra�e 23 06526 Sangerhausen Germany Phone: 03464-5370 Fax: 03464-537251 E-mail: b.mirau@mifa.de Internet: www.mifa.de ISIN: DE000A0B95Y8 WKN: A0B95Y Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hamburg, München (m:access), Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 226935 22.08.2013