HUTTWIL, Switzerland - As predicted, Flyer production is being relocated to ZEG's Kettler factory in Germany. Only a skeleton team for Swiss dealer support will remain at the Swiss site in Huttwil. They will remain alongside sister company Biketec GmbH with its connectivity solution FIT which has not been affected by the exodus, but only after intense negotiations.
WARSAW, Poland - In 2025 a series of significant industry trends will mark the future development of the bicycle and e-bike industry. One of these trends is the ongoing reshoring of production and improving market flexibility by manufacturing in Europe instead of Asia.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament's Transport Committee and EU ambassadors adopted the European Declaration on Cycling during a meeting on 14 February. The declaration is a list of commitments originally proposed by the European Commission in October 2023, including the increase of European production of a wide range of bicycles, including e-bikes and bicycles for people with disabilities.
After the supply chain disruptions of 2020 caused tremendous manufacturing upheaval, many European businesses started to ponder the idea of moving production closer to home to meet consumer demands. In fact, with sustainability now at the centre of most business decisions, using more local production facilities has proven an obvious solution; both in terms of offering more security and reducing carbon emissions.
Amidst global shifts, disruptions in supply chains, and a renewed focus on environmental responsibility, many bicycle industry leaders are re-evaluating their reliance on overseas production sites. In the midst of these shifts, Poland is positioning itself as an increasingly attractive hub for investment and manufacturing. Numerous success stories reveal that, from family-established ventures to innovative startups, Polish companies are making significant strides, establishing a strong presence both at home and throughout Europe.
In recent years an increasing number of bicycle companies have opted for close to market production in Europe. Spurred on by the need for a consistent supply chain following issues during the pandemic, investments in European manufacturing continue to grow. As noted in this online magazine, Eastern Europe is becoming popular with Lithuania, Poland and Romania all enticing new investments from bicycle manufacturers. But not only here, Germany, France and Portugal are taking efforts to step up 'Made in Europe' bicycle production.
