Mobile franchise Beeline Bikes to open central US distribution centre in Q4

Beeline Bikes is set to open a new distribution centre in a central location in the United States during Q4, the firm has told CyclingIndustry.News.

Having expanded its franchise business from the ground up to the current 31 on the road, Beeline’s model has increasingly required warehousing space to carry and distribute inventory to its partners.

With financing from the recent Accell Group tie up, the group is now actively seeking active investors who can purchase a given territory. Having sold three of these since May, a territory offers space for up to six vans on the road.

With an electric bike program now added to its training, as well as some 85 software releases offering new functionality to those on the road, Beeline is investing in its infrastructure.

“We’re looking closely at developing our customer experience and operator efficiency,” said co-founder Pete Buhl. “We now have e-commerce integration live, more focus on our retail offering, as well as fulfillment of ready to ride packages. On Amazon you can now add a Beeline service with some bike purchases.”

Also working with Raleigh USA on consumer direct sales, bikes ordered this way can be dropshipped to a Beeline franchisee for last mile service and final delivery to the customer.

Asked whether Beeline would follow Velofix by extending its offering outside of the US, Buhl offered that for the time being domestic service would take priority, but that down the line we will see Beeline branch further.