Giant Group, based in Taiwan, establishes its second European manufacturing and logistics unit in Gyöngyös, Hungary. An investment of app. 15 billion HUF will be carried out in three stages with an area of 228,000 square meters will be devoted to the project, creating 591 new jobs. The production is expected to start in the second half of 2019. In view of an ever-increasing demand for bicycles in Europe, the initial production capacity is planned to 300,000 units, but annual capacity will be able to reach 1 million in the long run. Mainly European-style and new generation E-bikes will be produced in the new plant.
The Taiwanese company dates back to over half a century, today Giant is the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, and its product range covers multi-functional, road, off-road and electric bicycles, as well as children’s bikes and bicycle accessories (clothing, parts). Of the nine global production units, the only European Giant plant is found in the Netherlands, with am annual production volume of 500,000 bicycles.
The brand new state of the art plant will serve the latest trends by producing electric bicycles for dynamically growing European market. With over 12,000 retail partners, the Taiwanese “giant” is looking to our country as a long-term partner, so in the near future its suppliers will likely to establish production facilities in Hungary in support of the production.
Following the announcement of the venture in Budapest, the foundation stone will be laid down in Gyöngyös, and the production is planned to start in just over a year, the third quarter of 2019.
The world’s leading manufacturer vowed to continue the nine decades long bustling traditions of bicycle production in Hungary, presently represented by Csepel, Neuzer, Gepida and Accel Hunland, which are all important players in the European market.
Brief history of Hungarian bicycle production
– Csepel Zrt. is the legal successor of the Csepel bicycle brand founded by Manfréd Weiss. Presently Csepel Zrt. Is the only company in Hungary to carry out all stages of bicycle manufacturing, offering more than 50 types, ranging from police bikes to the MOL BUBI public bike share machines. Csepel also exports bicycles to various European markets.
– Founded in 1996, Neuzer exports 50% of the approximately 100,000 bicycles manufactured annually in Esztergom, Hungary. These are sold in many European Union countries. The company owns a self-developed public bike share system, and also developed bicycle-based public transportation systems in the city of Győr, Nagykanizsa, Hévíz, Miskolc and Esztergom. It has recently expanded its services by supplying Neuzer bicycles as part of the “BUBI” program in Debrecen and Szeged.
– Also founded in 1996, Gepida is committed to the production of quality bicycles with precise design, predominantly for the international market. Gepida bikes are sold worldwide, and are available in bicycle shops in more than 20 countries.
In the segment of new generation premium bikes, ACCELL Hunland is presently the market leader in the Europe, with a history that dates back over two decades. Mainly electric-assisted bicycles are manufactured in Tószeg, Hungary, called the “Pedelec” (Pedal Electric Cycle) type. These bicycles can not operate independently with pure electric drive, rather the built-in motor is used to increase the pedal force of the rider.
(Source: hipa.hu)
