Suspension-maker Manitou Signs with 3point5.com

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (August 5, 2008) – Suspension fork and shock manufacturer Manitou recently launched training on 3point5.com, adding to the online retail training company’s growing collection of cycling brands.

More than 1,100 active bike retailers representing over 3,500 locations currently train on 3point5.com, learning about brands like Pearl Izumi, GORE BIKE WEARâ„¢ and Giro. In addition, salespeople can access 3point5.com’s product fundamental training on mountain, road and BMX bikes.

3point5.com engages retail salespeople using fast-paced, testable online training that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. Users earn big discounts on the products they sell by passing 3point5.com “Edu-Games”, which test brand, technology and product knowledge.

Manitou, known as one of the first companies to utilize motorcycle suspension technologies for mountain bikes, needed to relay a consistent training message that could be regularly updated with new technologies and products, according to Joel Richardson, the company’s marketing manager.

“3point5.com offers us the flexibility to quickly change our messaging as new products come online,” Richardson said. “This training will empower our sales force with the ability to instantly get up to speed on highly technical equipment. It’s knowledge that we can easily pass on to our customers.”

3point5.com CEO Duncan Robins noted that Manitou’s innovative bike components were a natural fit for 3point5.com’s brand of online training.

“Innovative, highly technical hard goods like the forks and shocks produced by Manitou fit our training model to a T,” Robins said. “We’re confident we can increase the quality of Manitou’s conversations on the sales floor.”

About 3point5.com
3point5.com is an online campus that represents over 83,000 registered pros and sales professionals, 250 manufacturers and over 10,000 retailers in an increasing number of industries, including Outdoor, Snow, Bike, Action Sports, Golf, Tennis and Hunt/Fish. 3point5.com offers a fun and secure place for retail sales professionals to train, access information and interact within their industry.

About Manitou
Manitou, founded by Mountain Bike Hall-of-Famer Doug Bradbury in 1985, was one of the first companies to bring motorcycle suspension technology to the mountain bike market. Since Manitou became part of the Milwaukee, Wis.-based Hayes Bicycle Group in 2006, the company has focused on making plush, lightweight, adjustable forks and shocks for World Cup-level competition.


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