Features

Bicycle manufacturing on rise as cars take back seat

Boutique manufacturers Astir Frames, Bouwmeester Composites and Finch Composites are taking advantage of South Australia’s strong manufacturing history and access to university testing facilities to gain a foothold in the potentially lucrative cycling market.

The global bicycle industry was worth $US 48 billion in 2014, driven by the sale of about 133 million bikes. It is expected to reach an estimated $65 billion by 2019 on the back of rising fuel prices and growing traffic congestion.

General Motors Holden’s car manufacturing plant in Adelaide will close next year, costing thousands of jobs not only at the plant but also at component manufacturers that have supplied it for decades.

Astir Frames specialises in long-lasting tailor made titanium bicycles. The bikes are built using parts from around the world and assembled in Adelaide, South Australia’s capital city.

Founder James Moros said the decline of the automotive industry in the state was opening doors for him.

“If there are factory machines that are idle, I’ll ask to use them. I’m not scavenging, but I’m utilising available equipment that other people aren’t using at the time,” he said.

“Titanium is a beautiful material. It is precious, low maintenance, and you can leave it out for years without painting it.”

Moros has exhibited at the Tour Down Under for the past two years, and said it was a great opportunity to showcase his brand.

“People who bought my bikes saw me and talked about how pleased they were with my bikes. It’s a testament that the bikes that I made for them are working fantastically,” Moro said.

South Australia has hosted the southern hemisphere’s biggest cycling race the Tour Down Under since 1999. It has also produced many of the nation’s best riders including Rohan Dennis, Stuart O’Grady and Jack Bobridge.

Astir Frames sold 30 bikes last year and is on track to increase sales by more than 30 per cent this year.

Bouwmeester Composites is another company that has found success in South Australia.

Since the launch of its product at the end of 2014, sales have been in line with the forecasts with 50 per cent of sales contributed coming from exports.

The company manufactures high performance carbon fibre wheels for off-road racing bikes.

nullFounder and CEO Mello Bouwmeester brought the composites work to Adelaide after previously manufacturing overseas.

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