With a heavy coronary heart, we share the information that GT Bicycles seems to be slowly shutting down. After a joyous and hopeful homecoming again to So. Cal. not fairly two years in the past, the as soon as iconic Southern California model is shedding staff, and halting manufacturing.
Simply final February, after being residence in So. Cal. for a 12 months, GT introduced that they had been on the mend and able to shred once more by hiring extra staff. They jumped from 8 to 23 staff and the longer term was trying brilliant.
PON, the corporate that snatched the model from the clutches of the Biking Sports activities Group, already owned one other iconic California model, Santa Cruz, and appeared like an excellent residence for GT. When PON determined to deliver GT residence after 15 years on the East Coast, we had been all excited because the transfer appeared to be the appropriate alternative.
The way forward for the model regarded promising.
However, right here we’re. GT has mentioned that it’s going to promote by way of its remaining stock by way of 2025, after which “pause the model”. There was another verbiage from GT’s Managing Director, Jason Schiers, that they’re utilizing the pause to focus “on core strengths, and refining our technique to place GT for long-term progress”. Effectively, we’ve all heard stuff like this earlier than, and whereas we’re hopeful, GT’s future appears to be like very dim.
A Phrase from Phil Kmetz
Phil (of Abilities with Phil) confirmed the information yesterday on his youtube channel. In response to Phil, this was a shock to a lot of the GT staff and GT athletes, with the official information being introduced to them this week.
I Bleed Blue and Yellow
As you could or might not know, I acquired my begin within the bike biz at GT Bicycles again in 1995. The model was an absolute power to be reckoned with because it dominated each self-discipline. We even had a Method One semi-truck as a race help automobile.
The trade was calling us “The Agency”. We began advertising on that status with our “Quick, It’s Company Coverage” advert marketing campaign. To cite Ron Burgandy, “We had been form of a giant deal.”
There are such a lot of tales I might share with you concerning the superb individuals who helped construct that model into what it as soon as was. And I’m stoked that I used to be there for lots of it. Working for GT Bicycles modified the trajectory of my life for the higher. Hell, I discovered my spouse of 24 years whereas working for GT.
That work surroundings has been the dragon that I’ve been chasing since I left, and there has by no means been one other place prefer it. The folks I met by way of my years at GT have change into lifelong pals.
I hope for the perfect end result for the model and the workers. I would really like nothing higher than to see them come out of this “pause” and rebuild themselves to the model’s former glory, no matter that will imply in right this moment’s bike trade.
Right here’s to the GT Bicycles of the previous and hopefully of the longer term!
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