by pk0r on Mon Jun 19, 2017 3:41 pm
Thanks already for the clarification sp3000!
ax is definitely not gone as the topic suggests nor do we have any intention to do so, actually in fact quite the contrary as we are currently setting up a new and much larger facility - still in Germany of course as this is our driving philosophy! This allows us to use technology that is not possible in a mass production, e.g. already down to the processes, variations of fiber angles, autoclaves, or very specialized raw materials.
Of course even the new factory we won't ever make us go the mass production way, but this simply is not our goal or philosophy either. The new factory however will allow us a higher efficiency in production, fast reaction times and also a better scaling.
We do not want to cut back on our technological level and the most recent test results, be it in Tour-Magazin, Rennrad or Procycling prove us right here with several test wins. At the same time tests as in Tour-Magazin also too well show how unique a German or non-Asian production are nowadays with us having been the only company in the "art of German engineering" special to in fact produce here (in Germany) as well with Storck, Canyon, Lightweight all producing in the Far East. Not our approach as said.
That said the technology does come at its costs. With everything being conducted in house with us, starting with the engineering, over to the testing and finally also the production, the downside are high production costs (which already suffocates the idea of a mass production model).
In order to still keep a competitive price level and not demand crazy prices such as 9000 EUR for a frameset, we are going the step to a direct distribution and won't be selling through LBS any longer. There will still be a couple of distributors around the world, but at least for Europe we will be selling directly. This allows to bring the leadtime down for a customer as well as to get the better service (as quite honestly there had only been a handful of shops anyways who have really been stocking our products).
We will also launcha very unique full insurance policy which will show how much we stand behind our products and how much you can trust them. There has been A LOT of work in the past 20 months with us - to the better for sure.
Nils Wiedemann
Factory Manager
ax-lightness composites GmbH & Co KG
TLTR: ax is NOT out of business, but extending their production. At the same time they are going the step to a direct distribution.
| works for an European bike manufacturer |
| "I respect the work in coloring parts but the result is stupid-monkey in silk clothes is still monkey." |