Bicycle Corporation of America (BCA), a unit of Kent International Inc., announced that its bicycles, which are assembled in the U.S., are now available for purchase in-store at various Walmart locations nationwide and on the Walmart website. BCA produces functional and stylish bikes for men, women and children at its Manning, SC facility, which opened in October 2014 becoming the first mass production of bikes in the U.S. in over 15 years.
BCA said in its statement that as consumers connect the economic dots between foreign made products and America’s future, they have become increasingly committed to “buying American” – and retailers have taken notice. In 2013, Walmart pledged to boost sourcing of U.S. products by $250 billion over the next ten years-helping to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
“BCA is dedicated to bringing jobs back to America-without compromising on value,” says Scott Kamler, president of BCA. “We are honored to provide jobs for American workers and are proud to be a part of Walmart’s ‘Made in America’ commitment.”
A recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, found that 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product when given a choice between a product made in the U.S. and an identical one made abroad. Sixty percent of the survey’s respondents indicated they’d buy American-made products even if those cost 10 percent more than imported versions. Fortunately for Walmart bike shoppers, BCA is able to produce its bicycles in the U.S. without an increase in price. BCA bikes retail for an average of $120.
Bicycle Corporation of America (BCA) was founded in 2014 in response to Walmart’s commitment to source products manufactured in America. BCA claims to be the first mass production of bikes in U.S. in over 15 years. BCA bikes are assembled in a 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Manning, SC, while individual parts are imported from Taiwan and China. BCA is owned by Kent International Inc., a global supplier of bicycles and accessories headquartered in Parsippany, NJ. Kent International Inc. is a major supplier to Walmart, Toys R’ Us, Amazon and Academy Sports & Outdoors.
