Our Story
Manfred Gingl, a former President, CEO and Vice Chairman with auto parts giant Magna International, decided to relinquish his senior Magna roles to become Founder and President of Magna Marque International Inc., a new product group focused on alternative mobility products. Throughout his 44 year career with Magna, Mr. Gingl, who is known as the architect of many Magna technologies, has always been a true visionary.
Already in 2001, Mr. Gingl combined his technology know-how with his long time personal interest in bicycles. Some of his light weight bicycle concepts would include a small gas powered propulsion system. Knowing that electric propulsion would be superior, both from a technological and environmental point of view, Mr. Gingl developed a keen interest in creating or acquiring such a technology.
At about the same time, Jean Yves Dubé, an entrepreneur and founder of Systèmes d’ Energie et Propulsion EPS Inc., designed and built the first prototypes of an electric propulsion system that would later become a popular product with e-bike enthusiasts.
In early 2007, Mr. Gingl and Mr. Dubé met for the first time and talked about ways to turn EPS and the BionX brand into a global success story. Both men were convinced that by combining their experience, resources and entrepreneurial spirit, what was then still a small operation, could quickly be transformed into a technology and market leader. By the end of the year, Magna Marque International Inc. became a controlling shareholder in Systèmes d’ Energie et Propulsion EPS Inc. Since then, Magna Marque has turned EPS into an operation with international reach, leveraging manufacturing processes and quality standards common in the automotive industry. The resulting BionX products and services are being highly valued by consumers, distribution partners and renowned bicycle manufacturers such as Diamant, KTM, Matra and Trek.
