Composites expert enters U.S. cycle market offering up new OEM channel

Southwest Composite Works has outlined a move to cater for cycling’s OEMs having struck up an early working relationship with U.S. manufacturer HIA Velo.

Able to produce mold-making and tooling for all outdoor pursuits, Southwest launched in 2014 with a focus on producing carbon fibre goods from design to production. The firm also has in-house capability to repair damaged carbon fibre frames and parts.

HIA Velo set out with a commitment to source all labour and resources from U.S. partners and will now utilise SWC to make its molds.

“At HIA Velo, we take great pride in the fact that we source all raw materials and tooling from the best domestic partners. SWC has provided us with best-in-class tooling, and we look forward to our future collaborations,” said Tony Karklins, founder and managing director of HIA Velo.

At present some 99% of the U.S. bicycle market’s goods are imported from overseas, a trend that is slowly turning with growing interest in domestic production.

CyclingIndustry.News columnist Jay Townley writes how the current Trump presidency is affecting the global bicycle business, including analysis of impacts on domestic manufacturing.