SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC boosts cycle arm with Burton

SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. has strengthened its cycling arm with the appointment of Kevin Burton as the sports business manager for cycling.

The sports research company has recently embarked on their third successive year of extensive pan-European research covering cycling participation and trends, market sizes and bike shipment data, along with an in-depth study of equipment usage at major European cyclosportives in 2014.

“We’re delighted that Kevin has joined the team," said John Bushell, SMS INC MD. "Not only does he emulate our company ethos in having great passion and knowledge for his dedicated sport (of cycling), but also he is known and respected within the cycle industry.”

Burton joins SMS INC. with almost twenty years’ experience in the cycle trade, having worked for different brands across the cycling market and worked closely with leading independent speciality UK retailers and retail chains.

With a career in the industry starting with Madison Cycles in the ‘90’s, Kevin managed Ridgeback and the Gary Fisher brands including the MTB Race Team. Kevin has worked with the likes of Shimano, Moore Large, Koga and Mad Fiber among others, and more recently operated a business around the growing electric bike market.

At SMS INC., Kevin’s focus will be to build relationships with manufacturers, retailers and other clients throughout the cycle industry both within the UK and international markets. Through bringing his extensive knowledge of the market, aligned to SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. specialist insight and research skills, will help both clients and the industry to benefit from dedicated, industry specific market research.

Burton added: “The cycle industry has been able to ride on a real boom in interest and demand, and must capitalise on the data and insight that SMS INC. are providing to ensure these benefits can be maximised. It is competitive – and the leading businesses already realise this.

“My role will be to ensure that these companies have the right information to enable them to make the most appropriate business decisions to ensure they stay at the top of their game, whilst aiding the wider cycle industry to understand the market and to progress their strategies in order for them to grow.”