Bicycle Production Shifting to CEE

With demand for bicycles in Europe and the US growing, companies are reshoring some of their production activities from Asia back to Europe or the US. Around 60% of European and US companies expect this trend to continue over the next three years as they seek out a more competitive supply chain. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is seeing an influx of big and mid-scale players entering the market, with many citing that CEE has become one of the most attractive locations for bicycle production in recent years due to its low labour costs and skilled workforce.  According to Eurobike president Stephan Schulz, "the region's central location within Europe means it can be easily reached.

Seventeen percent of European bicycle companies are moving their production back to Central and Eastern Europe. This is in response to the high costs of Chinese and Asian production, as well as the current trade wars. The Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary are among the most popular countries for new production facilities, due to their favourable business environment and skilled labour force. While volumes will be limited at first, this move could pave the way for a larger reshoring trend in Central and Eastern Europe.