The UK’s largest bicycle manufacturer opened its doors to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne yesterday. He used the visit as an opportunity to discuss the latest Office for National Statistics figures.
After arriving at the factory at 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday, Mr Osborne was given a full tour of the factory – including the Engineering and Brazing, Stores, Pre-Assembly and Assembly parts of the site.
As one of two remaining bicycle frame manufacturers left in the UK, Brompton is something of a British icon. All the bicycles are hand-built at the West London factory; there is no production line. Each worker takes responsibility for the work they do; according to Sales & Marketing director Emerson Roberts, this increases accountability and enhances job satisfaction.
Emerson said of the visit: “These are tough times for the global economy, but companies like Brompton show that it is possible to exploit opportunities in any climate, in our case by focusing on quality and by addressing imaginatively the needs of consumers.”
Brompton has experienced high levels of growth in recent years, both domestically and internationally. Exports have been particularly strong, accounting for 75% of output over the last 3 months; Bromptons are distributed to 38 markets around the world.
George Archer
