Achim: Almost as long as I have been riding, I have been involved in the bmx industry in some ways. Since riding my bike had always been my main focus, I made sure to have the freedom that I need to keep it that way. The distribution is definitely more pressure and responsibility but things work out so far. I just merged with one of my longtime friends, which helps a lot. He is taking care of the daily business involved in a distribution and I concentrate on the brands and marketing. That gives me enough time for riding and travel. 
Do you feel that BMX is big enough (in Germany) to make a good living selling to bike shops or do you plan on doing internet sales or something along those lines? Achim: The bike market is a really tough market, in Germany just as much as every where else. We are a really young company so we have a lot of work ahead of us. We definitely have plans to expand in different areas, but we have to take it step by step.
How many good BMX shops do you believe Germany has?
Achim: I believe that there is a number around 40 shops that are really into bmx. And I hope that with our work we get more shops involved and concentrate on bmx.
Do you sell to regular bike shops too? Achim: We have a couple regular bike shops but our main customers are shops that focus on bmx.
Any plans to sell to Wal-Mart, Kaufhaus, Decathlon or chain stores like that?
Achim: That's not us. Our interest is to work with bmx related and educated dealers. They are into it for the same reasons we are and get the kids/riders involved in bmx for the long run.
What riders do you use to promote the products that you carry? Achim: Michael Sieren from Trier, Patrick Rohn from Berlin, Daniel Holzinger from the Nürnberg area and myself. We are really happy to have those guys representing us and our brands.
What are the "Hot Items" that you can't keep in stock if you wanted to?
Achim: Rhythm 18" bikes. Loyalty frames. Dinky Sprockets. Über alloy post. SPC alloy pegs. Colored grips...
Contact info:
fastpace bike distribution OHG
Bahnhofstrasse 74
76297 Stutensee
Germany
Phone: +49-7244-73 33 40 Fax +49-7244-73 33 60
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www.fastpace.de
www.hoffmanbikes.com
www.colonybmx.com.au
Woodward photo by Chad Kagy. Others: BdJ
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.