In 1977 Huffman Manufacturing changed its name to huffy mountain bike Corporation, and the company acquired Frabill Manufacturing, a manufacturer of fishing and basketball equipment. Other acquisitions designed to diversify Huffy’s product line followed. In 1982 the company bought YLC Enterprises, a company specializing in product assembly, and Gerico, the producer of Gerry and Snugli baby products. In 1990, the company bought True Temper, a manufacturer of lawn and garden tools.
Representatives from large corporations like Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us and Disney come to Huffy’s headquarters to work with the bike brand. Huffy bikes are sold at more than 10,000 retail locations shipping 5 million bicycles annually throughout the U.S., as well as more than 50 countries. Huffy, which has been making bicycles in the United States since 1934, currently imports about 70% of its bikes from China, Taiwan and Mexico. The company holds 25% to 30% of the U.S. market, the largest single share.
Our rides were now called “Huffman bicycles,” leading the way for our transition to becoming the first name in fun. 1990’s– The biggest problem faced byHuffywas the huge success of Asian bicycle manufacturers infiltrating the US market. Lower production costs in Asia meant that domestic manufacturers couldn’t financially compete.
Production was subcontracted to China, where workers were paid 25 to 41 cents an hour, yet the company could still not reach profitability even with this cheap labor. The property is owned by Florida-based F9 Properties LLC, represented by Dave Dickinson and Russell Maas of NAI Bergman. Aaron Savino, of Miller-Valentine Group, represented Huffy in the lease. Also last year, Sensor Technology Systems Inc. said its move from Beavercreek would result in 120 jobs. The maker of night vision goggles and other electro-optical products for special operations forces, defense forces and law enforcement is consolidating operations at a 50,000 square foot Newmark Drive location. Companies relocating to the Newmark Office Park area have included Acclimate Technologies Inc., which tripled its size after from downtown Dayton.
In 1997 the company acquired Royce Union Bicycle Company, a manufacturer of high-end bicycles. After it became apparent that continued U.S. production of low-cost, mass-market bicycles was no longer viable, Huffy had bicycles built by plants in Mexico and China, starting in 1999. The relationship with the Mexican plant was severed shortly thereafter. In federal bankruptcy court in Dayton, Ohio, in 2004, Huffy’s assets were turned over to its Chinese creditors.
In 1964 Huffman expanded its Outdoor Power Equipment division with the acquisition of Diele & McGuire Manufacturing. It was not an entirely successful expansion, however, and the division continued to lose money over the next decade. That same year, the Huffman corporate offices were moved to their current location in Miamisburg. The internal part in the valve can malfunction while in use, causing loss of inflation and thermal protection, posing a risk of hypothermia to the consumer. “The supply chain is certainly being affected in terms of getting components. Even if you could build the frames, you are struggling to get the rest of the bike so you can go ahead and assemble it and get it onto the shelves,” Jordan adds.
1977– Realizing the need to diversify,HuffmanacquiredFrabill Manufacturing, a maker of fishing and basketball equipment. This contract increased sales to $2.8 million and on top of this, the US government also placed an order for an additional 4000 bicycles. A 10-speed, lightweight bicycle with a narrow racing saddle, dropped-style handlebars, and an American West color scheme. Horace ‘Huff’ Huffman Jr – took over the role as the works manager atHuffmansand quickly switched the production process over to include a ‘straight-line conveyorized assembly line’. This is a place where you can learn all about cycling and get recommendations from experienced riders passionate about the sport.
bikes were originally made in the U.S., but by the mid-1990s, the company fell into deep financial trouble. The U.S. Bicycle industry had consolidated, and high-volume retailers accounted for three-fourths of the U.S. market, which gave them massive control over manufacturers. Huffy bikes are today manufactured in China, which is why they sometimes get a bad reputation. However, it’s important to understand how Huffy – originally a U.S. company – ended up outsourcing its bicycle manufacturing. In 1982, George Huffman observed the bicycle craze sweeping the nation and decided to transform his simple sewing machine company into one focused entirely on manufacturing bikes.