One of the reasons we work with Guru at Signature Cycles is because they are a no-compromise performance company that sweats the details. Guru is the one company that offers a state of the art custom tri bike that will match up against any manufacturers’ testing in the wind tunnel, while offering the athlete the best fit possible. We recently spoke with CEO Ted Matthews about what makes Guru tick, and what motivated him to step into a second career in the cycling industry.
Guru is based just outside of Montreal Canada, but the company was founded in 1993 by a young Italian engineering student, Tony Giannascoli. The name Guru reflected Giannascoli’s goal to create a handcrafted bicycle company that would be a leader and a guiding creative force in the industry. Though Matthews took over as CEO in September of 2009, he says Giannascoli continues to play a major role in the company and is still “the genius behind much of what we do at Guru”.
Prior to becoming Guru’s CEO, Matthews was part owner of AVS Technologies, the largest independent distributer of consumer electronics (Sandisk, Uniden, TDK Media and others) in Canada. After 26 years running a successful business, Matthews sold AVS in 2005 and was ready to retire. Though most people would be thrilled to stop working after more than two decades, he says, “After two years I was bored and I found out I was just not that kind of person. I wanted to be involved in something new.”
Though more of a golfer, traveler and family man himself, Matthews had always appreciated cycling and had many close friends who were avid riders. As he learned more about Guru, the idea of investing in the company appealed to him. “Cycling is a great form of exercise, it’s a very green industry and I knew that Guru made an absolutely beautiful product.” In part, it was speaking to his friends (many of whom rode and loved their Guru bikes) that gave Matthews inspiration and confidence to step in as the new CEO.
Dorel Industries, which owns such well known brands as Cannondale, Mongoose, GT and Schwinn, recently acquired the GURU brand and all technology related to the Fit System (DFU). Guru Cycles Inc. will continue to design, sell and manufacture premium bicycles under the GURU brand name.
When Matthews talks about the team at Guru, from the industrial designers to the welders, it’s clear he’s more than happy with his second career. “I love watching our people design and create bikes. Our team is young, between 28-40 years old on average, and they are ALL bicycle enthusiasts. When they’re making a bike, they’re making it with passion. I can see every day how proud they are of what goes out the door. I’m the old man of the business, but our team is young, smart and terrific.”
The company has weekly meetings with all of their 44 employees and Matthews says listening closely to what everyone has to say is part of creating a cohesive team effort at Guru. They hold Saturday shop rides every week which gives the whole team a chance to connect and enjoy their passion for riding together.
Matthews says what he appreciates most about working with Signature Cycles is the not just the ability to work closely with a studio that carries the best brands, but one that cares about the quality of their communication. “Paul Levine is always professional, loyal and he works closely to maintain excellent relationships with us and with his clients.”
Though Matthews’ seven grandchildren, who live in Montreal, Manhattan and London, all keep him traveling, he says he loves coming to work every day at Guru. “I like being around the energy, the design, the innovation. The fact that the cycling industry is changing and growing so rapidly – more people are riding every day – that makes me happy.”
To see Signature Cycles full gallery of Guru bicycles click HERE