Hub filling and lacing have always been two separate jobs, handled in two places, often by two sets of hands. That split shapes every wheel factory in the world. A working prototype shown at Eurobike 2026 collapses the two into a single process, and points toward a wheelbuilding line that runs without an operator.

Companies with a 100-year history in the bicycle industry are pretty hard to come by. Gazelle in the Netherlands, owned by Pon since 2011, is one such company. The company is so proud of its craftsmanship, which dates back to 1892, that a public walkway hangs over its factory in the Netherlands. This expertise extends across the entire chain, including its relationship with dealers, making it a leading brand in the Benelux. A heritage site with modern, state-of-the-art production — that's what Bike Europe found when it visited the Factory Floor at… Gazelle.

WARSAW, Poland - With the opening of a new, state-of-the-art production facility near Warsaw, bike-sharing pioneer Nextbike GmbH says it is strengthening its position as Europe's leading bike-sharing provider. The new plant in Poland can produce up to 200 bicycles per day and will support the existing Nextbike network, which spans over 400 cities and 23 countries.

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese manufacturing giant Shimano has been cited by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission for violating the Subcontract Act and failing to pay its 121 local subcontractors for storing materials on its behalf.

As the European bike industry adjusts to post-boom market realities, manufacturers face fluctuating demand, excess inventory, and pressure to optimise operations. Flexible, scalable assembly solutions are key to adapting production capacity up or down—ensuring resilience and efficiency in an unpredictable market.

Bicycle manufacturers face increasing demands for flexibility, quality, and cost-efficiency as the industry evolves. The need for smarter, more reliable production solutions is greater than ever. How can manufacturers keep pace with these changes while maintaining high standards? Recent advances in automation and process integration offer compelling answers.