Burley Trailers Hang in There
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09.27.06
Last week the Eugene-based bike trailer brand Burley, who we noted back here, was financially rescued by a local businessman. While Michael Coughlin has brought the business back from the brink of complete closure, it has meant 39 of the 104 staff will not return to work. The company will now refocus it’s energies on its signature line of bike trailers that help cyclists lug around kids and cargo. Apparently they make about 27,000 of these a year, with 3,000-4,000 currently on back order. The news item we read suggested that cheaper imports had made the bike trailer market exceedingly competitive. Another salient reminder of the benefits of buying local, and not just your groceries. Cheaper and cheaper prices do come at a cost. And that is often born by local communities as jobs go offshore to the lowest bidder of the day. Via ::News Review.
Another US-based homegrown bicycle trailer outfit is Bikes At Work. They mostly make cargo trailers. I have one, and it's very useful -- you'd be amazed at how much stuff you can carry.
I'll miss their raingear line. Their shoe covers are the best I've found.
Just wanted to pass along that I have been a proud owner of a delite and a cub for the last 5-6 years. One of things that is not mentioned in this article is that Burley has been operated as a cooperative. It is unfortunate to find out that this alternative business strategy is not immune to problems. But it is not a surprised that cooperative business practices aren't a panacea.
I have been in need of replacement parts several times and have always been able to talk to a real person at Burley by either email or phone to get what I need. Often they charged me nothing. Maybe that is why they are having trouble. Being too nice to people like me. At least in my case I always look at what Burley has before going elsewhere.
I should mention that I bought both trailers second hand. Which speaks to their quality of construction. But also means that Burley did not get a direct sale from me on two high ticket items.
One of my reasons for buying a Burley is the innovative hitch design which allowed me to attach my trailer to my regular commute bike and my tandem (which allows me to take both kids to school each morning). Very well built and well designed trailer. All of the others seem like knock-offs compared to a genuine delite.
Let's hope that this bail out means that the company steps up and becomes a sustainable business again.
Yay Burley!
My Burley flatbed bike trailer is a lifesaver for me. Not only does it make me look less 2D on the roads (inspiring motorists to actually pass me at a reasonable distance) but it means I can carry almost everything I need to transport in my daily life. Food shopping, art supplies, a preschool classroom's worth of library books, and even lots of gardening supplies and plants can easily be carried on my trailer. Plus, it's fun! I keep my gorilla on it, when I'm not fully loaded, and he keeps me company while I ride.
So yeah, buy a Burley if you can and support an ethical coop business while making your life easier!