Central Europe as an e-bike production hub

Central Europe as an e-bike production hub

For reshoring production and improving market flexibility by manufacturing in Europe instead of Asia, the central European countries have always played a key role. Although no country has taken a leading role, like Portugal, that does not mean that the region plays a secondary role within the industry. Several new facilities were started in recent years and existing ones upgraded their output quality.

In 2023, more than 301,000 bicycles were manufactured in Spain, doubling the 2019 figures in turnover. - Photo Shutterstock

Bicycle production in Spain rebounds in October

MADRID, Spain - Bicycle production in Spain rebounded again in October with 25,400 bicycles produced for a value of €18.2 million. Compared to the same month of the previous year, this is a growth of 23.3% in units and 16.7% in turnover, according to data published by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

“In the first half of 2025 we expect the market situation will improve again while in the second half of the year and in 2026 the market will recover again.” – Photo Bike Europe

Romet president: 'Now is the moment to invest for the future'

PODGRODZIE, Poland - Based in the southeast of Poland, Romet has been in the bicycle industry for more than 75 years. Operating in a total of three factories spread out over the country, Romet holds a strong position in its home market, but is also one of the well-known players in the European OEM market. Romet president Wieslaw Grzyb is now preparing the company to take the next step on the export market, both for OEMs as well as the brand Romet.

“We see a growing number of customers demanding us to manufacturer these products in compliance with ESG standards,” explains Sunrise president Eric Li. – Photo Bike Europe

Sunrise builds frame factory in Vietnam to comply with ESG...

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - An increasing number of companies follow the China +1 approach for their sourcing strategy. To meet this demand from their customers, one of Taiwan's leading frame manufacturers is currently developing a new production facility in Vietnam with a capacity of 600,000 units. Above all, Sunrise aims to reduce their carbon footprint and raise their level of sustainable production.

Cube Bikes plans to set up a facility in Egypt to produce plastic-reinforced carbon bicycle parts. – Photo Cube

Cube Bikes plans to invest €5 million in component factory in Egypt

WALDERSDORF, Germany - Cube Bikes plans to set up a facility in Egypt to produce plastic-reinforced carbon parts for export to its European factories as production inputs. The company has already scheduled a second visit to Egypt to secure a 40,000-square-meter plot in the 10th of Ramadan City, northeast of Cairo.

BFI operates 10 assembly lines plus one for pre-assembly. – Photos Bike Europe

Bike Fun International transforms to a more versatile manufacturer

KOPRIVNICE, Czech Republic - The two buildings housing the offices, production and warehouse of Bike Fun International (BFI) are hidden behind the big entry gate of the Tatra truck factory in the Czech Republic. BFI is probably the only bicycle factory which is located in a former test facility for trucks. Founded by a group of Dutch investors in 2001, the company developed into a leading city bike manufacturer based in central Europe, without losing sight on the sports bike market.

Darfon has been operating a keyboard factory  in the Czech Republic for almost 20 years. – Photos Bike Europe

Darfon's OEM e-bike assembly operation in Czech Republic

ČVRČOVICE, Czech Republic - Darfon Electronics' announcement in December 2023 to open an e-bike assembly and battery production facility in the Czech Republic marked the official start of the OEM business for this electronics giant in Europe. In fact, it was set up to expand the company's e-bike operation in the Czech Republic as assembly has already been taking place for a while in Čvrcovice.

WBIA sustainability director Germain Lesur plays a key role in this supply chain sustainability project. – Photo WBIA

WBIA calls for collaboration in supply chain sustainability project

FRANKFURT, Germany - The World Bicycle Industrial Association (WBIA) has launched a new supply chain project aimed at guiding the cycling industry towards a sustainable future. The Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) Operating Model was validated during the WBIA's general assembly held during Eurobike Frankfurt 2024 and is built around the three pillars of education, energy and ecodesign.

In its latest step towards greener cycling, Herrmans Bike Components has transitioned three of its chainguard models to using 100% recycled ABS plastic. – Photo Herrmans Bike Components

Herrmans continues to decarbonise its portfolio with 100% recycled...

JAKOBSTAD, Finland - European component manufacturer, Herrmans Bike Components continues to expand its sustainable product portfolio. The latest addition sees three of its existing chainguard models transition to using 100% recycled ABS plastic.

Cycling brands Accell, Canyon, Quality Bicycle Products, Rose, Schindelhauer, Schwalbe, Scott, and Trek have come together to launch the Climate Action Training course, now available to the entire cycling industry. - Photo Shift Cycling Culture

Cycling brands launch training to cut supply chain emissions

ZEIST, the Netherlands - Eight prominent cycling industry companies have come together to co-develop and launch a Climate Action Training tailored to the cycling industry. The course aims to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the industry's global supply chains.

“For our OEM customer we can take full control of product development, logistics, assembly, and provide delivery in the right place on time, so they can focus on sales,” says BFI CEO René Gasser. – Photo BFI

Bike Fun Int'l to accelerate growth thanks to "know-how in city bikes"

KOPRIVNICE, Czech Republic - The long-time experience in the production of city bikes for a leading Dutch brand, gave Bike Fun International (BFI) a strong position in the expanding urban mobility cycling market. Bike Europe talked with CEO René Gasser about the manufacturer's ambition to serve the central European markets as a leading distributor, but also how they can distinguish themselves as an OEM supplier.

Circular Logistics has been recognised at the German Design Awards for the company’s zero waste reusable boxes for bicycle shipping, which result in up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions. Photo: Circular Logistics

Circular Logistics' reusable bike transport box wins design award

PÖCKING, Germany - Circular Logistics GmbH, a pioneer in sustainable packaging solutions, has been awarded in two categories at the German Design Awards 2025 for their innovative design of a reusable transport box for new bikes.

The German hammerman strikes: Huttwil will definitely soon be ‘flyered out’ at the expense of over 100 hundred jobs. Photo Peter Hummel

The end for Flyer in Huttwil: Swiss-made is definitely over

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - The closure of production at Flyer in Huttwil is now a sad certainty. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, CEO Andy Kessler announced yesterday that at least 150 employees will soon be made redundant. The media only learned of this unfortunate pre-Christmas news via dealers and employees; owner ZEG has not disclosed any information.

Cycling is the green alternative to the car, but how environmentally friendly is the industry? – Photo Revolutions

New documentary showcases cycling industry's waste problem

BELFAST, UK - A new documentary has been released to showcase the extent of the waste problem within the cycling industry and offer solutions. Produced as part of a research project from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Revolutions is a 15-minute documentary that urges stakeholders from across the cycling industry to reconsider their approach and attitudes towards environmental sustainability.

Frank Holzmann, global vice president Electrical at TÜV Rheinland (l.), presented the carbon footprint certificate to Jack Brandsen, Gobao chief strategy officer Europe, who said the certificate is a recognition of the company’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. Photo - Gobao

Gobao receives carbon footprint certificate from TÜV Rheinland

MUNICH, Germany - Gobao, a provider of drive solutions for e-bikes, has become the first Chinese company to receive the Carbon Footprint certificate from TÜV Rheinland.

The e-bike manufacturer Riese & Müller is based in the German town of Mühltal where all quality and environmental management processes at the site have been brought to a standardised level that is traceable industry-wide. – Photo Riese & Müller

Riese & Müller receives German Sustainability Award

MÜHLTAL, Germany - E-bike and cargobike manufacturer Riese & Müller has been honoured with the German Sustainability Award in the company category 'Two Wheelers'. This award, which acknowledges ecological and social commitment, has been awarded since 2008 by the German Sustainability Award Foundation and recognises companies that contribute to the sustainable transformation of the economy.

Only two years ago, Pon Bike Performance GmbH opened the brand new production facility in Mainz. – Photo mtb-news.de

Pon reorganises European Santa Cruz and Cervélo production and closes...

MAINZ, Germany - For reasons of efficiency, Pon has decided to relocate the European production of Santa Cruz & Cervélo to the existing facility of Pon Bike in Emstek, Germany. The production in Mainz will be discontinued from April 2025. This was reported by the platform MTB-news.de.

Alongside the new factory in Vietnam which will service new orders from Ananda customers in the US and Europe, the company has celebrated the start of mass production of its new M5000 mid-drive motor. - Photo Ananda

Ananda factory in Vietnam now fully operational

ARNHEM, Netherlands - E-drive systems manufacturer Ananda has announced the opening of its new factory in Vietnam. The factory, which Ananda gained access to at the end of 2023, is now operational and will form part of the firm's commitment to global expansion moving forward.