Brompton Intends to Leave Greenford
Foldable bike manufacturer planning move to Kent
Brompton's factory in Greenford. Picture: Ealing Council
Folding bike manufacturer Brompton is planning to quit its base in Greenford.
It will be moving to a new state-of-the-art facility in Kent in a partnership with the local authority.
Manufacturing would continue at Greenford at least until 2030 but the main plant will be at the new 40-acre site from 2027.
The ‘revolutionary’ new factory, which will be surrounded by a nature reserve rewilding by Ashford Borough Council, is meant to be a springboard for continued international expansion by the company with a greater emphasis on electric bikes.
The new factory has been designed by Guy Hollaway and will be developed by Quinn Estates at a cost of tens of millions of pounds. The site will also include a visitors' centre, museum, educational space and café.
The company’s CEO, Will Butler-Adams told shareholders after agreeing the move with the local authority this February, "The time has now come for us to find a larger home for Brompton.
"West London rents are rising at a rapid rate and looking further afield presents us with the opportunity to find a bigger space to facilitate our future growth whilst ensuring we remain financially robust.
"By choosing Ashford as the future Brompton Global Headquarters, we can retain this strong, close connection to London and the UK, whilst being on the doorstep of Europe."
The privately owned company was founded in 1975 by Andrew Ritchie who developed the distinctive design for the folding bikes.
Full time production began in 1988 at the Brentford Arches and then moved to premises at Kew Bridge in 1998.
Mr Butler-Adams joined the company twenty years ago when it was manufacturing just 6,000 bikes per annum. The main base of operations was moved to Greenford in 2016.
Despite Mr Butler-Adams saying that Brexit has been a ‘full-on disaster’ for the company, its sales boomed during the pandemic.
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September 29, 2022