Wondered if any Sportworks rack users knew that Sportworks has been sold to Thule. I called them today and Sportworks verified that was the case. Still going to go by the name of Sportworks, she said but Thule now owns them. Very interesting.

I heard this yesterday when I went to the local Sports Rack store to get a receiver put on my car for our old Sportworks rack. They also told me that since Thule bought them out, there is a planned price increase on the horizon very shortly. I tend to believe them since Sportworks is local to this area (I believe they got their start making the bike racks that are on the front of our Metro buses).

Sportworks Sells Quick-Load Bike Rack Division to Thule
Dear Retailers, Partners, Consumers and Friends,
After nearly nine years of making innovative consumer bike racks, including the original Quick-load bike rack, Sportworks has sold the consumer bike rack division to Thule. Please see Thule's press release here for additional information. You may also contact Thule directly with any questions you might have at 800 238 2388. Sportworks will continue to manufacture the racks in the near term.
This news may come as a great shock to many of you who have been our ardent supporters and pioneers over the years. The reasons for the sale are many, including a very competitive market and the challenges of competing with the larger manufacturers. Sportworks will continue to make and sell bike racks for transit vehicles as well as perform contract manufacturing for a variety of customers.
We want you to know that we did not make this decision without extensive thought and consideration. We have prided ourselves on making innovative, consumer friendly bike racks and the decision to sell was a difficult one.
It has been our pleasure to work with all of you over the years. We thank you for your support and passion for our products and wish all of you a profitable and healthy 2005.
Our kindest thanks,
Mike & Sandi Reeves – Owners
Julie Gregg – Vice President TranSport Products
Eric Stobin – National Sales Manager
Zqwan Peterson – Customer Service Lead
Marijo Martini & Tracy Thomas – Customer Service
Sportworks
Please call 888-661-0555 with questions.

No one else likely cares, but it is interesting to see the name Julie Gregg on the list of the employees. Reason is, the Gregg family owns and operates the oldest, biggest bike store in the Seattle area (Gregg's Greenlaks Cycle, Gregg's Bellevue Cycle, and Gregg's Aurora Cycle). I would assume she's from that family, bringing some of the Gregg familie's cycling expertise to the table.