Rigida UK to close; from Jan 04 wheels will ship from the Netherlands

The Kirby in Ashfield factory will be closed on December 31st.

Jan Willem ten Dam of the Rigida Group said:

"Over the last year it has become more apparent that a large majority of the UK customers are contracting out their bicycle production to countries were lower wages are permitable, resulting in a large reduction within their own production levels.

"This has created a demise in the demand for UK produced rims to a level were we feel that the UK based factory can no longer sustain profitability."

Orders on the books right now will be dealt with Rigida UK; new orders will be dealt with by other companies within the Rigida Group.

Van Schothorst, the Netherlands-based parent company of the Rigida Group, will handle all UK commercial and marketing activities.

The sales manager for the UK will be Carl De Ruigh.

Rigida Group

St. Anthonisweg 5

NL – 5831 AC BOXMEER

The Netherlands

Tel : 00 31 485 561 795

Fax : 00 31 485 561 799