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Volt opens new bicycle factory in Milton Keynes
Electric bike manufacturer Volt has opened the doors to its new manufacturing facility in Milton Keynes, realising an expansion project one year in the making. The move represents a significant investment by the firm in UK manufacturing and centralises its production within a new facility that combines innovative automation with exceptional hand-craftsmanship.
At approximately 20,000 square feet, the new factory has the capacity to build up to 25,000 e-bikes per year and is set to create 30 new jobs in the local area. The Milton Keynes location was selected due to its strong transportation links and position as a growing innovation hub that is home to over 10,000 businesses.
e-bike manufacturer Volt has officially opened its new UK manufacturing facility in Milton Keynes / Picture: Volt
For Volt’s London-based founding brothers, James and Lyle Metcalfe, it has been a long-term aspiration to onshore and centralise the firms’ manufacturing process to the UK. With an exit from the EU looming, and over ten years at the forefront of e-bike production, Volt’s new manufacturing base positions the brand for accelerated growth and reinforces its commitment to British manufacturing and high-quality production.
Volt founder and owner, James Metcalfe, said: “We are very proud to fully-commit Volt to the UK and excited to be part of British manufacturing’s resurgence. It has been a fantastic achievement to get the space up and running despite the added burden placed on our teams during the current Covid-19 restrictions. They have faced-up to the daunting challenge of adapting facilities and processes to ensure that we keep our people and customers safe, whilst realising our dream of delivering a cutting-edge e-bike factory. I am immensely proud, and it is testament to the superb team we have here at Volt.”
Metcalfe added “Milton Keynes is an enterprise hotspot and an innovation hub with exceptional UK-wide distribution links. The surrounding area provides a source of exceptional talent, and since some of the largest bicycle component distributors are also based in the area the sourcing of parts is quick and convenient.”
Following a significant investment, the new factory has the capacity to build up to 25,000 e-bikes per year and create 30 new jobs in the local area / Picture: Volt
Across the past year, there has been an increasing interest in e-bikes, as referenced by Deloitte’s Discover The Future report, which predicted a surge in the number of people turning to e-bikes as a transport alternative.
The Covid-19 outbreak boosted interest in e-bikes further as commuters are turning to different travel methods to avoid public transport. Through the crisis Volt has witnessed a significant spike in demand, and this new base will allow the company to increase its output in response.
In addition to an increased production capacity, the investment will enable VOLT to have localised control of production, allowing them to operate more fluidly across the manufacturing cycle.