Dutch industrial group VDL is going to produce bicycle frames for the Dutch manufacturer of electric bicycles Qwic and the Limburg bicycle manufacturer Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF), among others. The latter is known for its Ridley and Eddy Merckx products.

VDL will also produce carbon front forks for a new BCF cyclo-cross bike model. The company’s intention is to produce 70 000 aluminum bicycle frames annually in its production unit in Breda near the Belgian border.

Automation

To compete with low-cost production countries such as China, the entire production process will be automated. For that reason, the new production line does not create many new jobs, only a dozen. According to the company’s spokesperson, tests will start after the summer, and the first frames should be ready by the end of the year.

Strikes

VDL will open a new branch called ‘VDL Bike Frame Technologies’ for this new activity. In the meantime, VDL still produces MINI models for BMW in the Nedcar factory in Born (Limburg), but that contract expires early next year.

The company recently announced that as of November 1st, 1 800 of the 3 950 jobs will be lost as a result. The unions asked for a better social plan, but negotiations have failed. The dissatisfaction has recently led to regular strikes.