Intersport France said that operations at its factory in Machecoul, in the French region of Loire-Atlantique, are progressing steadily, reaching higher levels of production than initially planned. In March 2013, Intersport took over a French factory there, formerly owned by Cycleurope, which was placed in liquidation, to assemble about 200,000 bicycles annually under its private Nakamura label for distribution on the French market, with plans to rapidly extend production to 300,000 units. In 2014, Intersport expects to make 241,000 units, namely more than the planned 200,000. The relocation of manufacturing activities from other countries is expected to generate 60 additional jobs, a combination of permanent and temporary positions, to reach an average of 245 employees on site. For 2015, the group is aiming at 350,000 units, up from the 300,000 it had initially foreseen. This will also require the construction of an additional 12,000 square-meter logistics warehouse. In France Intersport has over 600 stores and realizes an annual turnover of €1.5 billion. The group has scheduled the opening of 80 new stores over the next three years.

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