An Indian cycle manufacturer is to build Internet of Things-enabled electric cycles in Manchester.
Hero International, part of India’s Hero Motors Company, will add a new assembly line within its manufacturing facility in the city which will produce high-end electric and traditional cycles for the UK and EU markets.
Part of a £150 million group-wide investment, it is expected to be operational by August 2022 and produce 50,000 bikes over three years before scaling up to a capacity of 30,000 bikes annually.
The smart bikes aim to understand the user via advanced technologies such as IoT and Google services integration, along with industry-leading anti-theft systems and advanced telematics.
“We are excited to expand our capabilities in Manchester to locally produce technologically advanced cycles and e-cycles that are extremely efficient, low-carbon personal mobility solutions,” said HMC chairman and MD Pankaj Munjal.
“Our new facility will enhance the cost competitiveness of our products in the UK and the European region, making them more affordable; it will boost local innovation and exports from the UK.
“With our integrated ecosystem of global design centres, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across geographies and strategic partnerships for R&D, Hero International will become a leading cycle and e-cycles maker by 2025.”
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Tim Newns, CEO of MIDAS – Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency – featured on our Top 50 North West Tech Transformers list this week.
He added: “It’s fantastic news that Hero Cycles is further contributing to Greater Manchester’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future, thanks to its expansion in Manchester.
“Forward-thinking innovators such as Hero Cycles are leading the way in showcasing the world-class capabilities within the city-region for advanced manufacturing.”
Hero Cycles currently operates global design centres in Manchester and Berlin, while its ‘E-cycle Valley’ in the Indian state of Punjab is one of the largest integrated cycle manufacturing facilities in the world with a capacity of four million annually.