The largest Czech bicycle manufacturer BIKE FUN International (BFI) from Kopřivnice in the Novojičínsko region lost important parts for the production of bicycles for CZK 250 million during a robbery. This will significantly complicate production, which will be up to a year behind some models. BFI marketing manager Jan Butala said today.
The robbery took place at a motorway rest stop in Germany and, according to Butala, was carried out by a well-organized group. “By all accounts, they had to have the whole event well planned. Most likely, they had been tracking the truck since loading, the thieves waited for a forced rest break for the driver, and then the perpetrators put the driver to sleep in the cabin, the manager described.
According to Butala, the German police are dealing with the event and the company had the insurance insured. “But of course we had it insured in our purchase prices, so lost profits will not make up for it,” Butala said.
According to him, the impact on production is huge. Peeled Shimano components are key to building nearly 10,000 wheels. In addition, the incident took place at a time which is already so complicated because the supply of individual components is stagnating. The company is currently able to replace only part of the components from stocks or from alternative manufacturers.
“The situation of bicycle manufacturers around the world is really complicated. On the one hand, we are dealing with huge demand, but on the other hand with an even greater shortage of components, caused by many factors,” said BFI supply chain director Petr Krkoška.
Interest in bicycles grew rapidly during the pandemic. However, due to the lack of parts, the delivery times of new bikes to end customers have been postponed in some cases to two years. “Apart from the global pandemic, the seemingly short crisis caused by the jamming of a container ship in the Suez Canal, where many manufacturers had their material, also played a role,” said Butala.
From the truck loaded with expensive parts for the production of bicycles and e-bikes, the company was left with nine boxes with components of lower classes. “The production of some models will be delayed by almost a year, as there is no other alternative on the market for many parts of this shipment,” said Krkoška.
The company has not yet experienced a similar situation. “Even Shimano has not encountered a targeted shipment to a similar extent. We hope that due to the lack of parts, these cases will not be repeated, because despite all the measures we have set up, no insurance coverage will compensate us for the loss and especially the reputation for late deliveries,” Krkoška added.
BFI produces more than 150,000 bicycles and e-bikes a year and has a turnover of around two billion crowns. It has its own brands Superior, Rock Machine and Frappé. BFI exports more than 80 percent of its production, and exports bicycles to more than 30 countries. It also has its own development. It employs almost 500 people. The company belongs to the Czech group Consillium owned by billionaire Tomáš Němec.
Source: Bike Fun International and CTK
