From Bicycle Retailer and Industry News:
Trek Furloughs 300 Employees
As BSNYC would put it "The Great Trek Bike Making Company" has decided to increase profit by squeezing its workers in Madison. The plan has workers temporarily laid off during these early spring months to increase profits. This is despite the fact that according to the same story, bikes sales are up over last year.
I hope these workers are able to make ends meet with less money in their pockets.
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2 comments:
I saw the article on your store in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News and went right to your website to check it out. Unfortunately, the first thing I saw there was a rant about Trek.
While your blog takes the view that Trek is squeezing its workers, the article you read actually explained the way that Trek avoided laying workers off. While last year's sales were up in many bicycle-related businesses, the true test has come in the first quarter of this year and will continue throughout the year. Like many large businesses, Trek is trying to cut costs. Unlike most, Trek has cut very few jobs.
Trek, by the way, is the only major builder that makes major numbers of bicycles in the USA. The three major brands that you carry (as advertised on your website) make almost all of their product in the far east. Specialized makes their carbon frames in China--Trek makes theirs in the factory in Wisconsin that you criticize. Cannondale just sealed a deal to move offshore. Aside from niche and boutique builders, that leaves Trek, which, as the largest (by a lot) American builder, employs directly and indirectly (the many people who sell and service Trek bikes)more Americans than any other bike company.
You guys have a great concept and I wish you luck, but why do you have to have such a predictable and irrational attitude toward Trek, the Apple of the bicycle industry? You can pat each other on the backs all day long about how hip you are while you ride your fixies and work second jobs to keep your doors open. But to compare a house brand like Surley to Trek is sort of silly. And when the belt-drive District comes online in June, Trek will have the coolest fixie, too.
Thanks for your comment. I have no beef with TREK specifically, but I have concern for the future of bicycle workers. I saw this as just one instance of profit coming before workers.
I have sold TREK bikes in the past, and even own one today.
As far as the belt drive goes ... seems like a answer to a question no one asked ... but that is my personal opinion, not that of the shop.
Thanks again for reading, be well.
-Josh
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