NEW DEHLI, India - Metro Tyres Limited is gearing-up to further expand the footprint of its house brand 'Ortem' in the European and US market. The Indian bicycle tyre manufacturer with production sites in Ludhiana has invested in doubling the tyre and tube production capacity of its export-oriented facility to also further expand into the private label business.
REICHSHOF, Germany - One year after the launch of the Green Marathon, Schwalbe is converting large parts of its existing tyre range to the same circular concept. From now on, 70% of all Schwalbe tyres will be made with recycled carbon black (rCB), the tyre brand reports.
ZEIST, the Netherlands - The imbalance in the supply chain in combination with excess inventory made clear how untransparent the bicycle industry operates once again. For long-time Koga and Accell Netherlands manager Pieter Jan Rijpstra, this gave reason to launch an OEM trading platform for selling and buying excess inventory and missing components.
Asiabike is the first company in Sri Lanka to set up a manufacturing plant exclusively to produce e-bikes to international standards. Strategic alliances with industry giants such as LG, Samsung, and Panasonic, along with European-standard approved Chinese battery cells, have made this locally owned organization an important e-bike supplier to foreign markets, especially the European Union and the United Kingdom.
BERINGEN, Belgium - As a very well-known performance brand, Ridley Bikes has been visible in all top level road race competitions for the past two decades. Owner Belgian Cycling Factory, who also holds the labels Eddy Merckx and Corsa, is now building an international European organisation to capitalise on its successful business model.
ALFORTVILLE, France - E-mobility company, Cibox, is relocating its production from China with the creation of a production and assembly factory in Revin, France. The site, which will be operational in July, will assemble 150,000 units a year, produce batteries, and provide after-sales service and recycling. At the same time, the plant will manufacture Cibox's brand, Yeep.me, and for other brands.
In the ever-evolving landscape of bicycle manufacturing, the introduction of new materials heralds a profound paradigm shift. From the use of carbon fiber to the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives, the industry is undergoing a renaissance driven by innovation and sustainability. However, the successful adaptation to these materials requires more than just ingenuity; it demands designing advanced machinery specifically tailored to handle these novel materials while prioritising ecological sustainability.
BREDA, the Netherlands - VDL Groep's announcement to open the next bicycle frame factory in Europe last year, was more than welcomed by the industry. Frame manufacturing is the key element for bicycle production close to the market and for a long time regarded as one of the most complex parts of a bicycle to manufacturer in Europe on a large scale.
Pandemic aftershocks, geopolitical tensions, and sustainability concerns are among the numerous reasons causing many bicycle companies to relocate their production closer to their core markets. One producer that has particularly benefited from this trend is the Tunisian company Euro-Cycles.
SUZHOU, China - The official accreditation of the Bafang Laboratory Center by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) confirmed the successful creation of world-class professional testing laboratory for two-wheel drive systems. The component manufacturer is investing substantially to expand its market position. "The industry needs to regain confidence to restart the market again," Bafang President and CEO Qinghua Wang told Bike Europe on a recent visit.
