1998–Huffyclosed down its Celina plant and laid off all of the facility’s 1,000 employees, – 25 percent of the company’s total workforce – after an unresolved pay dispute with its workers. 1995–Huffy Bicyclessuffered its worse year with a crippling $10.5 million loss. The process saw the company downsize in some departments and expand into new business areas. Workers’ wages were cut, new product lines were developed, and lunderperforming businesses were shed. A bike with 20-inch wheels, a “banana” seat, and high-rise handlebars.
Excel Group Inc. was a leader in the shift, moving production to Brazil, Taiwan and China. U.S. bikemaking jobs began moving across the Pacific Ocean more than a decade ago as economics and demographics forced the industry to rethink strategy. schwinn bicycles itself shuttered its largest production plant, in Celina, Ohio, last year. The union had tried unsuccessfully in recent years to organize the two plants being shuttered. For example, a Schwinn subsidiary produces mountain and BMX bikes in Santa Ana, Calif., and makes frames at various U.S. locations. Leibowitz said Huffy’s move is a strong indication that the less expensive bicycles are being made overseas, leaving U.S. production to focus on more expensive bikes.
“The severe retail price decline and margin erosion confronting the bicycle company have negatively impacted our results,” the company said in announcing the decision. “The changes in the bicycle operation will significantly enhance its ability to compete in the fiercely competitive bicycle market.” Huffy said the pre-tax cost and other charges associated with the plant closings are estimated at $42.4 million, or $2.64 per share. The company said its earnings will also be hurt by having to sell its inventory of more expensive, U.S.-produced bikes and winding down domestic production. About 100 employees in the bicycle division will remain at Huffy headquarters in the Dayton suburb of Miamisburg to work on design, marketing and distribution.
Here are additional features of the Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser bike you might like to know. Once the plants close, Huffy no longer will manufacture bikes, but operate instead as an importer and marketer–sort of a two-wheeled version of Nike Inc. The U.S. economy has been adding jobs overall, he said, though factory sector payrolls have been sliding on and off for decades. Over the first two-thirds of 1999, manufacturing payrolls dropped by an average of 28,500 a month. The No. 1 maker of bicycles in the United States, unable to compete against cheaper models made in China, has decided not to try any longer.
Of the actual Huffy bikes post 1970, there are some dependable transportation available if you know where to look. Cycling on the Cheap is about finding the right mode of transportation as cheap as possible, and for many, a Huffy might make sense. Most likely these will not be light in weight but will get you from point A to point B and have the added advantage of being largely theft proof.
In 1968, in an effort to market a children’s bicycle with an automotive theme, Huffman designers added a car-type steering wheel in place of handlebars to the Rail frame, which became the Wheel. In mid-1968, Huffman released the Flaming Stack chain guard, which was designed to look like the distinctive side exhaust pipe covers on the Corvette sports car. Later that same year, Huffman released a new Slingshot model with 16″ front dragster wheel, and 20″ rear.
Another unit of the company, Royce-Union, sells about 250,000 higher-end bikes under the RU and Royce brand names. That unit always has outsourced production, to the same plants in China, Taiwan and Mexico that will be making huffy mountain bike bikes. In 1998, Huffy closed its bicycle plant in Celina, putting 1,100 employees out of work and moving production to Farmington, where it had begun operating in 1993. “For far too long the cycling industry has been solely focused on the pinnacle athlete, but these results show that a broader, family and beginner focus can reap gains.
The good thing about these brakes is that they require little maintenance. To use these brakes, you have to pedal backward, which causes the coaster brake hub to stop the bike by pushing the brake shoe against the edge of the rotating hub. The rear hub can’t rotate, which causes the rear wheel to stop bringing your bike to a stop. You will like the stylish yet modern look of the Men’s and Women’s cruiser bikes from Huffy. It won’t be hard to keep this bike clean or well-maintained with smooth tires and colorful sidewalls.
The company holds 25% to 30% of the U.S. market, the largest single share. It plans to continue making bicycles with partners around the world. I have a very romanticized vision of riding a bike – perfect sunny day, no crowds and no hills. The Huffy Men’s and Women’s Cranbook cruiser bikes have many features in common. Huffy Cruiser bikes use coaster brakes to bring your bike to a stop.