TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Frame manufacturer Astro-Tech Co., Ltd. has clearly outlined its strategic direction for its future development initiative. Astro-Tech president Samuel Hu gave Bike Europe a look into what these plans entail, which includes the construction of a new production facility in Vietnam, where Astro-Tech has been producing frames for 24 years.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - High-end frame builder Astro Tech isn't only investing in satellite production in Vietnam. At this year's Taipei Cycle Show Astro Tech Co. Ltd. general manager Samuel Hu confirmed to Bike Europe that his company is currently constructing a new building in Changhua, Taiwan. Here, mass production of carbon frames will take place alongside automated aluminium frame production.

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - The production of carbon frames is extremely labour intensive. "No matter where we have produced over the years, carbon frame production relies on a highly handcrafted process," explains frame builder Astro Tech CEO Samuel Hu. At Eurobike 2022, the company will officially launch their latest innovation that could "revolutionise carbon frame production".

BINH DUONG PROVINCE, Vietnam - The lockdown and subsequent factory closures in Vietnam have taken a heavy toll on the supply chain in the bicycle industry. All factories in the south of the country, where most of the component manufacturers are located have been closed since mid-July. The situation is slowly improving again.

BINH DUONG PROVINCE, Vietnam - In order to put a stop to the rampant Delta variant, Vietnam has been in lockdown by government decree for a whopping two months. As a direct result, lead-times in the bicycle industry are going up.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Many bicycle retailers have already experienced suppliers reporting yet another regrettable delay in the delivery of goods, referring specifically to supply chain interruptions and the Covid-19 pandemic. These supplies were meant to fill empty warehouses and storefronts.