In 2020, when the bike boom was just taking off as a result of the coronavirus restrictions, Flyer opened a second production line in Huttwil. The number of employees grew to 350. At the time, Flyer was the largest employer in the Oberaargau region, according to the Berner Zeitung newspaper

But everything is different in 2023. Demand has collapsed. In a memo to its employees obtained by the Berner Zeitung, Flyer writes that sales and orders have halved in the last two years. In order to remain competitive, the company has no choice but to cut costs. The pressure is likely to come primarily from the owner, the German company ZEG. But even if Flyer were still independent, the situation on the bicycle market would not look any different and the cost pressure would hardly be any less.

The decision to cut 80 jobs has not yet been made. In accordance with the law, Flyer is conducting a consultation process. The company is looking for alternatives to redundancies. However, it would be a surprise if the job cuts could be massively reduced.