| The Seawheels bike building group took its (approximately) annual tour of the ATP Vision Recumbent factory in Lynwood (Seattle) WA. We've been taking the tour annually since ATP has had a place of their own, roughly 7 years now. The company has grown so fast that none of the tours has been of the same building more than 2 years in a row. The company continues to expand with new models this year (primarily the Saber and TiSaber) and is expanding into assembly of uprights for other manufacturers part-time during lean times. In addition, last year they brought their wheel supplier, Winkel Wheel, in house - putting all of their bike manufacturing under one roof. This is in contrast to other manufacturers that are outsourcing more of their work. The reason for this contrast is that ATP custom-builds each bike and having all of the production processes within shouting distance of each other gives them the flexibility to fill custom orders quickly.
Joel Smith, the president, took us around showing us the production process and tooling. He also explained the stages the company has gone through getting to where they are now. The tour finished in the Winkel Wheel shop with an explanation of the wheel-building machine. After a question and answer period Joel graciously offered for sale a large collection of sample, surplus and overstock bike components at garage sale prices. In addition he offered to sell any custom components to builders such as idlers, seats, etc. Joel started his business in his backyard shed and remembers how difficult it was to make every little item and has done a great job of making things easier for local builders today.
Nick Hein, Renton WA, USA Click images to enlarge... |
