Brompton news!

[Fastpedaller]

I've only seen this today, maybe it isn't news to some on here?
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/g...to-decathlon-and-chinese-investor-02-07-2026/

 

[steveindenmark]

Link does not open

 

[Fastpedaller]

Oops, I'd cut the h off the front... it now works.

 

[mickle]

Gosh.

 

[Drago]

This was reported on greater detail elsewhere. Its not terribly exciting, the new investors have only modest majority holdings. However, it is symbolic.

 

[annedonnelly]

Yeah, I saw that in the Guardian the other day. They seemed to be stressing that an important reason was to allow shareholders (many of them employees) to obtain some cash having made investments when the company were strapped for cash.

 

[FrankCrank]

I'm wondering if double-barrelled Billy is the right person for the job?
If this was a football club, pretty sure he'd be replaced for the start of the next season.

 

[wafter]

This was reported on greater detail elsewhere. Its not terribly exciting, the new investors have only modest majority holdings. However, it is symbolic.

Yeah, can't help but feel that it's another indication that the rot's setting in.

 

[Drago]

Hence my "symbolic" comment. In and of itself it isn't exciting, but may represent a less than stellar future.

On the other hand, theyre trying to serve the same market as when they were founded in 1975. The market, its needs and expectations have moved on radically since then. For the most part Brompton have not.

If If eventual foreign corporate ownership and dilution of the brand is the end result they've only themselves to blame. Doing the same thing over and over, with more desperation and wringing of hands with each turn, is all they seem capable of. You don't see successful organisations, Specialized, Sony or Honda sitting on their hands.

 

[Gunk]

Sadly one of their biggest problems is labour costs, the bikes are overpriced and they’re still losing money. IMO this is the beginning of the end, Ì predict a slow move to manufacturing overseas and the closing of their London facility. It’s the only way they’ll survive.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Sadly one of their biggest problems is labour costs, the bikes are overpriced and they’re still losing money. IMO this is the beginning of the end, Ì predict a slow move to manufacturing overseas and the closing of their London facility. It’s the only way they’ll survive.

I suggest they aren't overpriced as long as they get to the top of their market - as long as they supply what customers want they can outstrip the competition. Sticking to the 112 rear drop outs possibly hasn't been the best policy - a wider rear dropout and more derailleur gears would be a good move. Maybe the width of the fold will increase a little, but they still have the best fold of all?

 

[Drago]

I suggest they aren't overpriced as long as they get to the top of their market - as long as they supply what customers want they can outstrip the competition.

They need to pull their finger out and start doing that then.

This guff about the cost of manufacturing the frames by hand making them so is misleading nonsense. It takes about 4 hours to braze by hand, some a little less or more depending on spec, extra bosses, etc. Thats about £60 in direct wages costs, or about £100 in costs to the company with NI and pension contributions.

The actual assembly takes up to 4 hours, so a similar cost at worst.

So of Bromptons were only £200 or so quid more than their better specc'd and better perfoming competion we might believe it, but they ain't.

Bottom line is they're doing the same thing over and over again and hoping for a different result each time, and it's juist not going to happen.

 

[Fastpedaller]

So of Bromptons were only £200 or so quid more than their better specc'd and better perfoming competion we might believe it, but they ain't.

I was in Halfords a week ago, so took the opportunity of a quick look around (Wife & Daughter were 'waiting' in the car ). There was a cheap folder, and it looked very rough, I think one of their 'own brand' ones and £995. I'd suggest the A-Line would be better.

 

[FrankCrank]

Think I've said it before on another thread - I'm getting a definite deja vu feeling whenever Brompton appears in the news.
The British motorbike industry just couldn't see the threat from the East till it was too late.
Complacent management was the cause then, and seems to be now. Shame, but looks like the end is drawing near.

PS - never understood the need to brag about brazing the frames, when TIG would be quicker, and just as good. All the clones I've seen to date are TIG welded, and they're none the worse for it.

 

[wafter]

Sadly one of their biggest problems is labour costs, the bikes are overpriced and they’re still losing money. IMO this is the beginning of the end, Ì predict a slow move to manufacturing overseas and the closing of their London facility. It’s the only way they’ll survive.

Of course we've seen this happen to other UK manufacturers countless times over past decades and arguably they've done very well - how long ago was it that most UK manufacturing got shafted - 20, 30, 40 years?

I think they've survived this long due to a combination of a great USP (the fold), a fair monopoly upon a pretty niche market (high-end folders), effective marketing and a target demographic for whom cost is potentially a less important factor.

I suspect against a background of the general post-Covid slump in the bike industry they're seeing a lot more competition at all price points (both above and below) while everyone is tightening their belts..


As I've ranted about ad nauseam before I think some elements of their design are bloody awful and would feel a lot more positive about the bike and company as a whole if these were addressed; however granted I suspect most owners are oblivious / couldn't care less so I doubt doing so would bolster sales.

Think I've said it before on another thread - I'm getting a definite deja vu feeling whenever Brompton appears in the news.
The British motorbike industry just couldn't see the threat from the East till it was too late.
Complacent management was the cause then, and seems to be now. Shame, but looks like the end is drawing near.

PS - never understood the need to brag about brazing the frames, when TIG would be quicker, and just as good. All the clones I've seen to date are TIG welded, and they're none the worse for it.

I agree with the first bit; as regards the second I think brazing has some advantages over TIG (lower temps so less change in material properties in the weld area for example). Plus it looks nice under the lacquer finish