People for Bikes chair becomes president of Canyon USA

Canyon Bicycles has appointed Blair Clark as president of Canyon USA, with Thomas Baumann appointed as general manager. The German company has been planning to open in the USA for some time.

Canyon founder and CEO Roman Arnold said: “I’ve known Blair and Thomas for some time and when they came to the forefront of our executive search, I knew they were the right fit for our company and these roles."

He added: "Entering the US marks the next big step for Canyon, and this team will provide the right blend of experience and leadership to guide our US.operations.”

Clark was formerly with GU Energy Labs, where he was president and chief operating officer, following more than a decade as senior VP of sales and marketing for Smith Optics. He has served as an IMBA board member and is current chair of People for Bikes.

Baumann was previously president and CEO of Orbitak. He has a PhD in economics

“Canyon has been selling the world’s best engineered and most innovative bicycles direct to consumers for years, and I have always admired their company from afar,” said Clark. “There are huge opportunities in the US for both the company and the bike industry as a whole."

Canyon has opened a logistics facility in Chino, California as well as office space in Carlsbad.

Wendy Engelberg, an IMBA Advocate and founding director of the Girlz Gone Riding women’s mountain bike club, will be Canyon USA’s customer service manager.

After ten years at Oakley, Andy Ellingsen joins as purchasing manager. And Richard Wheeler, who formerly was a product quality engineer with Trek Bicycles, joins Canyon to lead the final touch assembly process.

Canyon Bicycles grew from Radsport Arnold, a Koblenz bike shop founded in 1985.