Polish Robotized Aluminium Frame Production - AG Motors

In recent years, one of the biggest issues for the bicycle industry in Eastern Europe has been the lack of supply chain flexibility. Fortunately, there now seems to be a resolution with the addition of the aluminium frame factory for AG Motors in Poland. Hoping to produce around 400,000 units per year, the factory is fully robotised and is expected to boost the speed-to-market while reducing lead times for electric (alloy) bike frames.

Now the second aluminium frame production facility in Europe, the opening ceremony welcomed over 100 guests from around the globe. Wieslaw Marek, owner and CEO of AG Motors, said ‘For bicycle manufacturers in Europe, we can reduce the lead times from 180 days when sourcing in Asia to only 30 days. We invested over €10 million in this research and development centre and robotised factory.’

Financed partly by the EU, the facility will utilise modern IT technologies to fall in line with the industry 4.0 philosophy. Essentially, the framework is in place to improve flexibility, efficient production, and speed. What’s more, there’s a general ambition in the industry to introduce more high-tech robotised production lines and research centres.

Facility of Innovation

Now operating, the facility actually houses tube laser cutting, cleaning, QC, welding, anti-corrosion treatment, sandblasting, and painting all on the same floor. Of course, it’s only AG Motors who can achieve this feat thanks to their uninterrupted manufacturing process. At this point in time, there are nearly 140 people working at the special facility.

Marek continued ‘The high level of automatization gives the possibility of implementing repeatability, a high production rate and, what is the most important, providing high quality of the final product. We source our raw material, aluminium 6061, in Poland, which gives us a full control over both the quality of the material and technology. This is a big step forward in creating the highest quality bike frames.