Ever since then, the company has been devoted to the production of professional bicycle chains. In the 1980's, the bicycle industry was developing vigorously, and competition was surfacing on the chain market. Nonetheless, KMC Group stood out a mo ng all the chain manufacturers. In 1986, KMC Group started a partnership with the Japanese supplier, Shimano Inc, signed the technical cooperation me mo randum, and began supplying the needed series of chains. This partnership has lasted continuously to date. Within the short 10 years between the establishment of the KMC Group and start of partnership with Shimano Inc.,