England’s longest established cycle manufacturer has seen a dramatic surge in export sales to the USA of an exclusive retro bike originally manufactured in the 1930s.
Pashley of Stratford-upon-Avon produces hand-built bicycles using a team of 35 experienced craftsmen whose attention to detail has earned the brand its position as Britain’s most exclusive cycle manufacturer.
The new push into America is backed by accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill – Pashley’s business and tax adviser. Significantly it is an international firm that has offices all over the USA.
Pashley managing director Adrian Williams said: “Classic cycles are becoming very fashionable in the United States and our latest bike, the Guv’nor, is seeing an upturn in demand because of this. Although we sell worldwide, the North American market is growing the quickest, despite the economic downturn.”
“The Guv’nor is based on a model Pashley first produced in the 1930s when Path Racers were popular with the sportier cyclist. We dusted down the original 1930s company catalogues produced for the Path Racer so we could recapture the classic lines and dynamics of the top end bikes in that era.”
“We are selling them with a single speed gear or with the option of having a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gear and every one has a traditional Brooks leather saddle, still made in Smethwick.”
Pashley, in its drive for authenticity, also agreed a deal with Birmingham-based Reynolds Technology to bring back the legendary Reynolds '531' tube set used to make the frames on many successful Tour de France bicycles from around 1955 to 1975.
Horwath Clark Whitehill partner Ken Bartlett said: “Pashley and our firm share the ethos of representing the best of the old while embracing high technology at its leading edge.
“This push into the USA is not new for Pashley, they’ve been selling there for many years, but the new demand for classic cycles is exciting for Pashley as they are the only manufacturer of traditional cycles left in the UK. They stuck with what they do best and it is paying off.
“Another advantage is that Pashley operations can be underpinned and sustained by our network of offices there.”
Ken Bartlett’s original firm, TB Scattergood and Co, acted for William ‘Rath’ Pashley when he established the company in 1926.
Since that date, Pashley’s designs have enjoyed a reputation for both style and function.
It remained a family company until a management buyout in 1994 and is still privately owned.
Bicycles are built across the range to exacting standards from the exclusive classic traditional models to the new small wheeled, full suspension TSR series.
The range includes contemporary city and commuter bikes, stylish cruisers, and bicycles that hark back to the golden age of cycling in the 1920s and 1930s.
Pashley also supplies steel-framed work bikes and load carrier tricycles for industrial and commercial use, delivering post, packages, food or vital equipment, safely and economically.
The Guv’nor sells in the UK for £795.