Local production matters with VDL Bike Frame Technologies
When you get on your bicycle, you probably don't think about where its aluminium frame was produced. It was likely produced in Asia, and if you do not live in Asia, your frame took a long journey across the sea. The Dutch company VDL Bike Frame Technologies is working to change this in Europe, together with Hydro.
Jason Koevoet, who leads VDL Bike Frame Technologies, says producing large volumes locally can provide positive answers to tough questions, such as those related to sustainability issues and business risk.
“We are a manufacturing company at heart, and we in VDL consider it important to keep production local and to keep the knowledge, employment and prosperity here in Western Europe,” he says.
“The industry actually asked us about producing bike frames here, partly because of the risks associated with the long supply chain. Local production means shorter delivery times. You also get more flexibility, and you can respond to market demand in a better way. And it is much better in terms of sustainability.”
Local production, local suppliers
Of course, local production also requires local suppliers, at least the most key suppliers. With VDL’s aluminium frames, Koevoet says that using Hydro as a supplier makes business sense. Their frames use aluminium profiles from Hydro.
“Some of VDL’s sister companies recommended Hydro as a suitable partner for collaboration, and I had a good feeling about them,” he says. “They are big and competent, and they hold sustainability in high regard. They also move fast.”
As an example, he points out that the collaboration between the companies, which started in 2023, impacted the choice of the aluminium alloy used for the profiles.
“Hydro is making this particular alloy just for us because it is well-suited for welding and forming, and because it provides the stiffness needed for a bicycle frame,” he says.
Optimized design of extruded aluminium components
Koevoet adds that the extrusions are shaped slightly differently than those VDL has previously been receiving from Asia.
“By bundling our knowledge and entering the market with one design, optimized as much as possible, we can compete even better,” he says.
Key account manager Martin Bruins Slot of Hydro points out that the start-up phase tends to be the most critical, and that “smooth and direct communication that was coordinated quickly and put into practice” helped support the work between the companies.
VDL has production capacity of 70,000 frames per year, and the company is scaling up, says Bruins Slot.
Recycled aluminium scrap
In addition to achieving a significant reduction in time spent and the distance related to transport, VDL is benefiting from another important sustainability aspect: The profiles it receives from Hydro contain lots of recycled aluminum.
Moreover, when VDL produces the actual frames, the metal scrap from its production process is returned to Hydro for recycling. “We are also looking into introducing a take-back system, where customers actually return their old frames,” says Bruins Slot.
VDL for local bicycle OEMs
These are important points for ByAr Bicycle Company BV, a bicycle OEM soon to be Poldar e-bikes, which has made sustainability one of its pillars. All its bicycles are produced in a socially responsible manner with respect for the climate and the environment.
ByAr’s bicycle has a unique design that catches the eye – its design is made possible by VDL – and the 40-year expected lifespan of its frames forms the basis for the circularity of the bicycles. This provides owners with a competitive total cost of ownership, in addition to an extremely reliable bike.
“Our bikes are 95% recyclable and fully circular,” says director Peter Kooyman.
