>From "sunset for suntour" by Frank Berto:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/
JASCA (Japan Sports Cycle Association) was formed in 1963 and expanded in 1964. JASCA promoted Japanese bicycle components with joint advertising and marketing. It consisted of Araya (rims), Daido (chains), Dia Compe (brakes), Maeda-SunTour (derailleurs and freewheels), HKK (chains), Kusuki (handlebars and stems), KKT (pedals), Nankai (coaster brakes), Shimano (hubs, freewheels, and derailleurs), Sugino (cranksets), Taihei (saddles), and Takagi (cranksets).
JASCA had problems promoting competing companies. In 1969, JASCA split into two trade associations: JBM (Japan Bicycle Manufacturers) and JEX (Japan Bicycle Parts Manufacturers Group for Export Promotion).
The JBM group consisted of Araya, KKT, Sakae Ringyo (cranksets), Shimano, Takagi, and Tange (tubing). JBM did not have a non-compete requirement. As Shimano grew, it expanded into components that competed with the other JBM members. JBM broke up in 1984.
The JEX group consisted of Dia Compe, HKK, Maeda-SunTour, Nankai, Sugino, and Taihei. The JEX members agreed not to compete with each other's products. This turned out to be a liability in the 1980s when the market turned to gruppos. When SunTour sold gruppos, they bought the other components from their JEX partners. By this time, Shimano was a much larger company with a much broader sales base. "
Highly suggested reading!!!
Grant McLean Toronto.Ca
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