We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. I am a bike aficionado who researched for you important information about the brand to help you know if kent bikess are good bikes. Long-term, in addition to training more workers, the CEO wants to improve process efficiency. “Long-term we feel that if we do this right, we will need fewer man-hours to build a bike,” Kamler explains. “Right now, we know the process is too manual, so we’ll be looking to improve the automation level of our factory. With new machines and trained workers in place, Kamler believes that Kent’s expansion plans are not only realistic, but they fit the workplace shift he is seeing now in the U.S., in great contrast to what is happening in China. In fact, Kent’s bike factory in China has experienced the same workforce and wage shifts chronicled in the book Factory Girl.
“But Dad had always wanted to manufacture bikes,” Kamler recalls. “I protested, ‘I don’t know anything about manufacturing bicycles!‘ so he arranged for me to visit three bicycle assembly factories in Japan.” Kamler, a student of the Chinese economy and factory life, has insights into the quick-and-easy way to open a new factory. “In the beginning, when a new factory opened in China, [its] management would go to another existing bicycle plant, overpay and steal 100 workers from the other factory,” he says. “That made for ease of entry.” he said. “But at this start-up, we don’t have that luxury—even aside from the morality of it—because there has been no mass production of bikes in the U.S. since Huffy shuttered its Ohio and California factories.” “We do business with most of the majors, but Walmart sells half the bikes sold in this country, Kamler explains.
The problem is one that, in some respects, is good to have. But bike makers can’t keep simply crank up production at existing factories to meet the need, especially with inventories at the store level already depressed. In addition, Kamler says, there are delays and difficulties getting parts from China and, even, problems in getting containers for ocean freight or finding enough long-distance truckers closer to home.
“The combination of union plants [with] a small plant start-up in Mississippi didn’t work out for Huffy; they went right to China—too much too fast,” Kamler says. “But our company has been in this for a long time, while Huffy went bankrupt.” But a major difference between Kent’s and Honda’s U.S. starting points is volume. Kamler knows that any production he does will come in from the start at high-volumes because that is his market. However, as you progress and take on more difficult challenges, it would be a wiser choice to invest in some professional grade bike that can keep up with your progress. With kent bikes and accessories available on nearly every Walmart store, it’s really easy and convenient to repair and upgrade your bike whenever you need.
In 2010, as Chairman and CEO, Kamler was joined by his younger son Scott, whom he persuaded to sign on as Kent’s fourth generation. The younger Kamler is now president, second in line at an up-and-running factory with big expansion plans. When the Manning, S.C., plant opened October 15, 2014, with 48 workers, including management, the executive team foresaw 175 to 200 workers and more machinery by 2017. So, Kamler promised to go look, but he also planned to check out other sites. One of his friends, a Senior VP at Deloitte, put Kamler in touch with people who ran a division that helped businesses review possible sites and negotiate the best deals.
We’re still populated by a staff of keen, active, impassioned cyclists. Just a dedicated group of cyclists making bicycles for people who love bikes-no matter if that love is new or long established. Cycle Therapy is located in a vintage Tudor red brick house located in downtown Kent, 422 3rd Ave South, at the corner of 3rd Ave South and Willis Street, Kent Washington. This distinguishes our shop as a place where the service does not end with the sale.
Your bike frame & fork are protected under our Lifetime Warranty policy. Bicycle labeling has a storied history in the U.S., with bikes being called “Made in USA” while assembled with Asia-sourced components. Or frames imported from China and painted in the U.S. being labeled “Made in USA.” Kamler was unsure if the South Carolina-assembled bikes would qualify for the new label but applied anyway. Maybe I am feeling it because I have driven the comfiest professional bikes.
However, if you are more experienced or plan to use your bike for more advanced tricks and competitions, you may want to consider investing in a higher-end model that can offer better support and performance. The most noticeable advantage of Kent bike models is their price. With the lowest model costing around $100, they are among the cheapest bikes you can find on the market. Not only that, but these bikes are also durable and reliable enough for all types of riding conditions.