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Middlesbrough bike startup lays out road to success

Dave Roberts, Director at new North East bike business The Great Middlesbrough Bicycle Company (TGMBC), has revealed ambitious growth plans for the company shortly after starting up.

The locally-owned and operated firm, which came to fruition following a joint £200k investment, launched last week selling its flagship Maximus bicycle range.

Designed by Teesside-based cycling expert Michael Hartley, the bikes are made in Taiwan but are stocked and sold from the firm’s Middlesbrough base. Since launching, 3 jobs have been created covering the business’ admin, marketing and general operations.

The Maximus rage of cycles are currently manufactured for TGMBC by the renowned Taroka bicycle company, the world’s third largest bike manufacturer.

Dave revealed: “It is wonderful to realise the team’s dream of Teesside having its own bike company.

“It took eighteen months and two visits to Middlesbrough from Taiwan by Taroka to make this happen. The whole idea is to give Teesside a high spec bike at an affordable price and finally we have achieved it. All the hard work has been well worth it.”

Mr Roberts, however, hopes that the longterm future of the company will see full operations based in the firm’s Middlesbrough heartland.

“All of us involved in creating this business are very proud to be a part of the region and we’re aiming for manufacturing to be done from here in the long term. It’s be great to open a plant here in Teesside.”

Dave added: “The bikes can only be purchased online at the moment but, to complete the full Teesside picture, we are now looking for local bike shops to become distributors for the region’s own Maximus range. It would be fantastic to see a local bike designed, built and sold locally.”

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