I expect you all know that Brompton moved to new premises at Brentford a few months ago. Today, 29th April, they held a reception at the new factory to celebrate the move. Those invited included dealers, suppliers, shareholders and a cross section of their more enthusiastic end-users, including journalists.
The day did not start too well for me - a train breakdown delayed my arrival in London, and the ride from Euston to Brentford was not particularly enjoyable. However, the rest of the day was really excellent.
Although
a map of how to get to the factory was provided, I managed to take a wrong
turning and cycle a few extra miles on the way there. Once in the Kew
Bridge Distribution Centre the factory was quite easy to find, with a
prominent sign, and at least on this day a Brompton flag flying.
With
a large number of visitors expected, the goods delivery entrance into the
factory itself had been opened, rather than everyone having to pass
through the normal reception area. On arrival for the event we were handed
badges and a commemorative key ring, before being directed to the area
where drinks were being served.
The
factory is extremely spacious and light, with lots of room for future
expansion - this space proving useful for food and drink on this occasion
- there was also live music being provided by a trio. Many familiar faces
from the world of folding cycles were to be seen, and one very new face,
that of Alex Henshaw.
The
main area of the factory is open plan - a standard warehouse type unit -
so all the manufacturing facilities were on display. Stock seems well laid
out and controlled - for example, some old replacement parts are available
as well as new materials, but not in quantities to distress 'just in time'
practitioners such as myself. The whole work area is very clean, and all
the work stations were neatly laid out. 
Rounding
a corner during my trip around the factory I encountered Dr Alex Moulton,
who was one of the invited guests - other notable names associated with
manufacture of cycles who were there included Mark Bickerton and Mark
Sanders (Strida).
As
well as displays of new bikes, there were also some very early examples on
show.
Before
eating, a brief speech was given by Andrew Richey, giving some background
on the past of the bicycle and the company, current activities, and a
general indication of the future. Andrew Richey included tributes to Alex
Moulton and Harry Bickerton for their pioneering work which had increased
the acceptability and interest in small wheels and portability. He
explained that changes being introduced with the move to the new factory
tend to be more associated with how the bikes are made than the basic
design, and some new manufacturing machinery will be introduced very
shortly to aid activities such as brazing of frames. Although Andrew
Richey made it very clear that development of the bike will be continuing,
he gave little in the way of clues of new models - no mention of a 7-speed
for example, though his praise of Sturmey-Archer may offer some clues. He
did indicate though that volumes are increasing now to the point where it
becomes economic for component manufacturers to make components
specifically for Brompton, and this is likely to result in higher
specifications of components becoming available on the Brompton in the
future.
The
event was enhanced by live music ...
...including
a performance by The Folding Society's John Mills, recently returned from
a trip to Australia.
As
you can see from the picture, there was plenty of space for eating and
drinking, and plenty of food and LOTS of wine! Fortunately The Ferret took
most of the photographs before imbibing, otherwise camera shake could have
been a serious problem. This is an event which we should have asked Mr
Portly to describe..
Copyright (C)1999 Ferrets Anonymous
Last updated: 9 May 1999
URL: http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/foldsoc/brom9905.html