Brompton Bicycles
Brompton Bicycle Ltd is the London-based designer and manufacturer of the world renowned Brompton folding bicycle and related accessories. Full-time production began in 1988, since when this company has grown to become an international success story – with sales in over 30 export markets, the company was awarded the Queens Award for Export Achievement in 1995 Almost all of the manufacturing and assembly process on our range of folding bikes is done on the premises. Metal tubing is manipulated (even the most basic processes, like bending and hole-punching) and machined; cast iron hinges are CNC-machined and all the metalwork is brazed here. A lot of support-work goes into engineering and designing the processes and tools/jigs to enable that manufacturing.
The paint process is outsourced and the painted parts are returned to us for pre- and main-assembly.
Topics covered by Brompton Bicycles
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
The design hasn’t changed but the product has; nearly all of the 1,200 parts that
go into a Brompton have been refined and developed over the last 25 years. A
couple of examples of the myriad developments going on constantly: the weight
of the bike has been reduced by over 30%, mainly through innovative materials;
and through the design and development of a unique internal gear system,
offering tremendous range in a light and compact package, the Brompton in
2010 is as happy in the Alps as on the King’s Road.
Marketing
The Brompton brand punches well above its weight; our output of c. 26,000 units per annum is dwarfed by competitors and other bike manufacturers, yet we are generally top-of-mind in many of the markets into which we sell. How did we get into this enviable position and what steps are we taking to safeguard our positive brand image as we grow and cease being one of the “little guys”?
People Issues
The company had reached a stage in its growth where its culture needed to be re-aligned with the new challenges that it faced. As Brompton Bicycle Ltd expands from being a small company, a lot more responsibility for success rested on each of our shoulders.
Many systems, procedures and practices had to be modified, in order to make this expansion successful. We recognised that change can sometimes be uncomfortable and we all worked hard to make these changes work – let me tell you how.
Information
Brompton Bicycles dates
| Visit date | Visit Topics | Visit Location |
|---|
|
Tue, 16th Nov 2010
|
- People Issues
- Marketing
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
|
Brentford
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Hertfordshire
London
Borough Green
Sheerness, Kent
West Lothian - Scotland
London