At the margins of the Velo-city conference in Nantes, an ECF delegation was invited to visit the Manufacture française du cycle (MFC) in Machecoul, a small town close to the Atlantic coast. What they discovered there was a brilliant example of how the bike sector can contribute to innovation, industrial renaissance and job creation in Europe. Bike manufacturing in Machecoul has a long history: The legendary „Gitane“ brand was produced here for more than 70 years. However, global competition put the plant in a difficult place during the first years of the new century, so that it was close to being shut down in 2013. Thanks to the engagement of the local community and the new investor Intersport, the fate of the factory turned around: Instead of closing, it is now expanding and producing more bikes every year. The numbers are impressive: In 2013, the plant produced 131 000 bikes. In 2014, this figure reached 245 000 and in 2015, the aim is to make 350 000 bikes. Turnover is increasing accordingly: The projection for this year is 59 million euros, three times more than in 2013. E-bikes play an important role in the company’s growth strategy. With the French market starting to enter its take-off phase (37% annual growth in e-bike sales in 2014), MFC started to produce e-bikes last year and is planning to assemble 10 000 units in 2015. During the last two years, Intersport has invested 15 million euros into the factory, making it possible to build up state-of-the art R&D facilities such as a product testing centre. There are already several other investments planned, for example a new logistics centre and frame painting machines. The latter will make it possible to paint 80-90% of bike frames in France instead of Asia.

Bikes assembled in France according to European quality standards

 

Starting with 187 workers in 2013, the factory now employs 225 and management is dedicated to increase that number to 300 during the next years. Together with the emerging news of new cycle manufacturing facilities and centres being created in the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Spain MFDC is a the perfect example how the European bike sector can contribute to reach the EU’s reindustrialisation and job creation objectives. With investment, innovation and quality the EU is competitive with bicycle manufacturing all over the world. Find out more on jobs and job creation in the cycling economy here. If you are interested in how ECF and the cycling industry work together to increase cycling in Europe, you can find more information here.