BMC Switzerland

BMC Switzerland AG
Aktiengesellschaft
Industry Bicycles
Founded 1986
Headquarters Grenchen, Solothurn, Switzerland
Products Bicycles, cycling accessories
Website bmc-switzerland.com

BMC Switzerland AG (abbreviation of "Bicycle Manufacturing Company") is a bicycle and cycling product manufacturer based in Grenchen, Switzerland.[1] BMC designs, builds and distributes road bikes, mountain bikes, and commuter bikes primarily for sale to dealers in North America, Europe (including Scandinavia), South Africa, Australia, East Asia and the United Arab Emirates.[2]

History

1986-2001 founding and early years

In 1986, American Bob Bigelow founded BMC as an assembler and wholesale distributor of Raleigh bicycles. After losing his distributor's license, Bigelow began building bikes under a new BMC label, but it remained a niche brand. In 2001, the company shifted their strategy, turning to greater investment in engineering and design.

2001 - present

BMC's relationship to performance cycling began when BMC began supplying the Swiss professional road racing team Phonak with bikes. The team's patron was Andy Rihs, owner of the world-leading hearing-aid company of the same name. Andy Rihs took over BMC in 2000 with the vision of building a carbon production facility in Grenchen, Switzerland to produce the ‘Porsche of race bikes’ and the Impec road bike was created. Having a carbon production facility at its disposal has heavily influenced how BMC approaches bike manufacturing. The facility is now called the Impec Advanced R&D Lab and it is primarily used for research and development by the company's design and engineering teams.

Professional cycling teams and athletes riding BMC's bikes have won the Tour de France,[3] the Tour de Romandie,[4] the Tirreno–Adriatico,[5] the Tour de Wallonie,[6] the Paris–Tours,[7] Critérium International[8] and many other high-profile events. In 2014 and 2015 the BMC Racing Team won the UCI Team Time Trial World Championships. In 2015, Australian rider Rohan Dennis broke the hour record on a BMC.

Sponsorship

Cadel Evans of BMC Racing wearing the maillot jaune during the final stage of the 2011 Tour de France

BMC currently sponsors the BMC Racing Team, whose leader, Cadel Evans won the 2011 Tour de France, the BMC Mountain Bike Racing Team as well as the BMC Factory Trailcrew. Beside that BMC is also co-sponsoring the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team as well as many other athletes.

The company also became the title sponsor for BMC Racing Cup, a professional mountain biking event formerly known as the Swiss National Series.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Contact - BMC Switzerland". bmc-switzerland.com. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a BMC retailer - BMC Switzerland". bmc-switzerland.com. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Beaumont, Peter (23 July 2011). "Cadel Evans blazes ahead to become first Australian Tour de France winner". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  4. ↑ Guinness, Rupert (3 May 2011). "Latest win gives Evans Hope". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Evans targeting second Tour win, Hushovd wants Paris-Roubaix". VeloNation Press. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  6. ↑ "Van Avermaet wins Tour de Wallonie". SBS (Australia). 28 July 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Greg Van Avermaet wins 2011 Paris–Tours". VeloNews. 9 Oct 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  8. ↑ Wynn, Nigel (26 March 2012). "Evans wins Criterium International after mountain finale". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "BMC Saves Swiss National Series". CyclingNews.com. 29 Nov 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.

External links

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