Brompton plans new 200,000 bike a year UK factory

Brompton has announced plans to build a new UK factory in support of a stated ambition to producing over 200,000 bikes per year.

The announcement confirms Brompton is taking the first step towards creating a revolutionary new factory in Ashford, Kent, and will be submitting planning permission for the development. The development, designed by renowned architect Guy Hollaway, sees a partnership between the brand, Ashford Borough Council, and Quinn Estates, for development of a location which will house a world class production facility, becoming the Brompton Global Headquarters, and, when opened in 2027, employ over 1,500 staff.

Challenging the traditional perception of manufacturing, sustainability will be at the heart of the facility, located within a 100-acre floodplain, which is designed to work in harmony with the landscape, supporting a net gain in biodiversity across the site. Ashford Borough Council plans to transform 60 acres of the site into a rewilded public nature reserve with a community cycle path and a network of trails.

Further highlighted in the announcement, the new factory will be built with construction methods which are carbon minimised, and materials responsibly sourced to ensure the site can enable future adaptation and be resilient to the changing climate. The development will support Brompton in delivering 1.5°C aligned emission reduction targets as part of their Net Zero ambitions.

The objective of Brompton’s travel plan, consistent with their core values, is to be a leader in sustainable transport. With this in mind, the travel plan for the site aims to see no new parking spaces created. A wide cycle/pedestrian way will allow employees and visitors alike to walk and cycle straight into the facility.

Will Butler-Adams OBE, CEO at Brompton comments:

“As we face climate change, combined with poor mental & physical health in our cities, where most of the world population live, we need to adapt. There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile. Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future.”

“London was the inspiration for the Brompton and our success is in large part is due to our diverse and skilled staff who continue to nurture and develop our company. By choosing Ashford we can retain this strong connection to London and the UK, whilst being on the doorstep of Europe.”

“We have a long journey ahead with the planning and development of the new site, but we’re thankful for the support of Ashford Borough Council, Hollaway Studios and Quinn Estates towards achieving our combined ambition to build this revolutionary and sustainable bicycle factory of the future.”

For Brompton the expansion of a UK based manufacturing facility, targeting production of 200,000 bikes per year, follows previous news that acquisitions and investments in outside businesses formed a key part of its growth strategy, seen as critical to delivering future international sales growth.