1977– Realizing the need to diversify,HuffmanacquiredFrabill Manufacturing, a maker of fishing and basketball equipment. This contract increased sales to $2.8 million and on top of this, the US government also placed an order for an additional 4000 bicycles. A 10-speed, lightweight bicycle with a narrow racing saddle, dropped-style handlebars, and schwinn bicycles an American West color scheme. Horace ‘Huff’ Huffman Jr – took over the role as the works manager atHuffmansand quickly switched the production process over to include a ‘straight-line conveyorized assembly line’. This is a place where you can learn all about cycling and get recommendations from experienced riders passionate about the sport.
S growth trend hit a snag in 1974, however, as a new recessionary period brought on an industry-wide slump. From its peak in 1973, bicycle sales dropped 50 percent by 1975. Huffman was forced to close its Celina plant for two months and lay off 25 percent of its workers. By meeting the problem head-on, Huffman was able to help suppliers increase their own output and to raise its production levels. For two years, the company was able to run two shifts a day without experiencing the traditional slowdown during the winter months.
In 1949, Huffman developed the Huffy Convertible, which was a children’s bicycle with rear training wheels and foot steps. The invention of the training wheels revolutionized the market for children’s bicycles, and this was the first Huffman bicycle under the Huffy brand. In an era of big business, Huffy came through with rides that were totally rad. After watching the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic cyclists take home the gold medal on Huffy bikes, kids of all ages realized they could be anything they dreamed.
Most, if not all, department store bikes are mass-produced in Asian factories that aren’t owned by the company labeling and/or marketing the bicycles. Several different brands are actually the same or similar bikes coming off the same Taiwan or China production lines with different paint and stickers on them. Also, most folks don’t know that Raleigh USA bikes from most of the 1980’s were actually licensed by schwinn bicycles, which sold them in the United States, but those bikes were produced in Asia as well. Huffy Corporation, headquartered in Centerville, OH, engages in the design and sale of wheeled and related sporting goods products. The company offers various sporting good products, including bicycles, scooters, tricycles, skateboards, and inline skates; golf equipment; hockey equipment; and snowboards and licensing. The company also designs, manufactures, and markets basketball backboards and accessories; and resells sports equipment and accessories to sporting goods retailers.
Domestically, the market for adult bicycles expanded as people began cycling for fitness and using bikes as an alternative to driving. Firstly they mongoose bmx bike released the hugely popularHuffy convertible bicycleinto the marketplace. This was the first bicycle to be sold under the “Huffy” brand name.