Haibike is a bicycle brand from Schweinfurt, which was founded in 1995. It belongs to the Winora Group alongside other brands. Initially, however, the first bikes were sold under the better-known Winora brand - Winora-Staiger has been in existence since 1914 and is a German bicycle manufacturer.
We have already found out where certain bikes are manufactured in various articles, such as Giant or Rose Bikes. Much more interesting, however, is the question: Why do we even care where the bikes are made?
Is it about finding out whether everything is "Made in Germany" and therefore justifies a certain price, or rather to have your own assumption confirmed that the bikes are manufactured "on the other side of the world" anyway and are then sold for expensive money? It's not quite that simple. We spoke to Christoph Mannel, Managing Director of the Haibike brand, about this topic to find out where Haibike bikes come from.
BIKE: How much "Made in Germany" is included in Haibike?
Christoph Mannel: A lot, because not only are the high-end models - around 10,000 bikes per year - manufactured in the Transparent Factory at the headquarters in Schweinfurt, but the brand and product management, development, sales, marketing and service are also based here. This is where we analyse the market, evaluate trends and design the next season's e-mountainbikes. A lot also happens at the HDCM (editor's note: Haibike Design Centre Munich) in Munich with regard to the creative side of the brand - from product design and CTG to brand communication.
But the frames still mainly come from Asia, don't they?
Our frames are produced at various locations, predominantly in Asia. In addition, the majority of our bicycle production now takes place in Europe. We work together with cooperation partners and have high-quality carbon fibre frames produced in Belgium, for example.
Are there any special specifications according to which you have the frames produced?
Yes, the frames not only have to pass the usual standard tests such as ISO standards, but also our internal testing according to the Accell Test Protocol (ATP) in order to fulfil our own - higher - Accell standards.
How does a frame travel from Asia to Germany?
The frames are mainly transported to us by sea. In order to reduce CO2 emissions in our transport processes as much as possible, we use rail for the transport of almost all sea freight containers from our suppliers from the European ports of arrival. Only the last 2.6 km from the Schweinfurt rail terminal to our warehouse in Sennfeld are travelled by road.
The interview was conducted by Benjamin Bernotat
Where is the Haibike company?
Haibike is based in Schweinfurt and was founded by Susanne and Felix Puello was founded in 1995 as a performance brand of the Winora Group. Product design and brand communication are also located at the Munich site.
Where is Haibike manufactured?
Haibike has its frames produced at various locations, but mainly in Asia. However, the majority of bike production now takes place in Europe. Haibike works with partners and has high-quality carbon fibre frames produced in Belgium, for example. The components are then assembled in the factory in Schweinfurt and a Haibike is created.
What do a bike tour through Australia, downhill and professional cycling have in common? The Haibike brand plays an important role in all of them.
Haibike in professional sport
Haibike is also represented in professional cycling, and in 2011 was the main supplier and sponsor of the Haibike Pro Team, which included professional mountain biker Sabine Spitz. The athlete won Olympic silver for the team in 2012. The Habike Pro Team no longer exists, but the connection to the pros has remained. That is why exceptional athletes such as Andrea Garibbo, Yannick Granieri, Maximilian Semsch, Léa Deslandes and Tom Cardy are now part of the Haibike Heroes.
Haibike Heros - extraordinary personalities
Under this heading, the Schweinfurt-based company always accompanies fascinating personalities and their relationship to Haibike bikes in various categories. This includes Yannick Granieri, who is known to many as one of the best MTB slopestyle and freeriders in the world. He continues his legendary riding style on an e-bike from Haibike and is thus entering new territory in the field of e-performance for the first time. This also makes the e-MTB an interesting option for mountain biking.
