Pon.Bike, the bike division of Pon Holdings, will close its Cannondale European assembly factory in Almelo, the Netherlands, and the relocation of production to existing facilities in Germany and Lithuania.
The closure will affect 120 employees and is slated to occur at the end of 2027.
Pon.Bike said of the transition process, “During this period, production activities will be transferred step by step to the other European locations. The delivery of Cannondale bicycles to dealers and consumers will therefore continue uninterrupted, and new models will go into production as planned.”
The Almelo production facility became part of Pon.Bike through the 2021 acquisition of Dorel Sports, which added Cannondale, Schwinn, Mongoose, and GT to its portfolio. Pon’s bike brands also include Cervelo, Santa Cruz, Gazelle, Focus, and Urban Arrow. Pon also owns the Mike’s Bikes retail chain in the U.S. and the Lease A Bike bike rental business.
Pon.Bike said, “The move follows an extensive analysis of the production network and aligns with the further implementation of Pon.Bike’s international multi-brand strategy.”
Pon.Bike continued, “Over recent years, Pon.Bike has built a strong international brand portfolio, including iconic bicycle brands such as Gazelle, Cannondale, Focus, Kalkhoff, Veloretti, Cervélo, Santa Cruz, and Urban Arrow. In 2025, the company launched an integrated multi-brand approach in which sales, marketing, procurement, production, and supply chain work more closely together. The strategy is designed to enable retail partners, in particular, to benefit fully from Pon.Bike’s broad brand portfolio. It also provides opportunities to continue operating efficiently in the highly competitive international bicycle market.”
Pon.Bike also said it “operates with the most modern bicycle factories” in Europe.
- The factory in Dieren, the Netherlands, produces the Gazelle brand and has the facilities to produce other brands and models. The factory is operating at peak capacity.
- The factory in Emstek, Germany, is the group’s “most versatile multi-brand facility, producing both comfort and performance e-bikes as well as (road) bikes.”
- The factory in Kėdainiai, Lithuania, is the “newest and most scalable site,” fully equipped to produce Pon.Bike’s full brand portfolio.
“Together, these three locations offer the capacity and facilities to fulfill Pon.Bike’s full production volume even as demand grows, including Cannondale models for the European market.” said Pon.Bike.
Regarding the affected employees from the closing, Pon.Bike said, “Cycling Sports Group Europe recognizes that this proposed decision will have a significant impact on its employees in Almelo and their families. A substantial transition period of approximately 18 months has therefore been put in place, with a strong focus on guidance, redeployment and support for employees in Almelo. The Works Council has been informed and is going through a careful consultation process. Cycling Sports Group Europe will develop its social plan in the coming period, in close consultation with the Works Council and the trade unions. The company is also committed to active collaboration with regional labor market organizations and employers in the Almelo and Twente region.”
Pon.Bike said after a period of strong growth, followed by a “sharp slowdown,” the bike market has since normalized. Over the medium term, Pon.Bike “expects a steadily growing market, driven primarily by demand for e-bikes.”
Image courtesy Pon.Bike
