French carbon fiber bike manufacturer Time Bicycles may have to change one of its core tag lines, “Designed and Made in Europe,” after reporting it will open a new manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC.
The company will invest $6.5 million to build the largest carbon fiber bike factory in the U.S. The facility is expected to create 105 new jobs.
“After two years of planning, we are thrilled to announce Spartanburg County as the Time USA factory location,” said Time Bicycles CEO Tony Karklins in a release from the Upstate SC Alliance. “The infrastructure that exists within this region for advanced manufacturing is unrivaled. Through our collaboration with Clemson University, KraussMaffei and the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance, we look to produce the most advanced carbon fiber bicycles in the world, with technologies and partnerships in place to rival production out of Asia.”
Founded in France in 1987, Time pioneered carbon fiber technology in professional cycling. A subsidiary of Cardinal Cycling Group (CCG), Time manufactures bicycles that have won Olympic gold, multiple world championships, the Paris-Roubaix, and numerous stages of the Tour de France.
Situated on 30 acres on the Saluda Grade Trail, Time plans to renovate a 140,000-square-foot factory at 19810 Asheville Highway in Landrum, SC. The company will extend the capabilities of its European factory and produce carbon fiber bikes and components using Time’s resin transfer molding technology in conjunction with Clemson University, KraussMaffei and the SC Competes SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance initiative.
Renovations to the facility begin in April, and operations are forecasted to start in the fourth quarter.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $400,000 Set-Aside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.
Photo courtesy Time Bicycles (shown ADHX)
