In a press release, Sram cites the fact that more and more bicycle manufacturers are having their entire city bikes produced in Asia as the reason for the decision. In order to move closer to these customers for the hub gears, the production machines at the existing plant in Schweinfurt are to be dismantled and rebuilt in Asia.

Development and service will remain
Sram emphasizes that the Schweinfurt site is not up for discussion. The development department and the service center for the European trade are even to be expanded. Sram intends to carry out the following work from Schweinfurt in the future: Product development, testing and design, product management, RockShox Rear-Shock Development Center Europe, SRAM DSD dealer service, product and technical training and European marketing. Nevertheless, the reorganization will not be possible without cutbacks. According to reports in German newspapers, 150 of the current 250 jobs at Sram in Schweinfurt are to be cut.

Sram took over the Schweinfurt branch in 1997 when the American component manufacturer bought the long-established German company Sachs. Until this year, all hub gears with three, five, seven and nine gears as well as the gear hub for the DualDrive drivetrain were still produced at the former Sachs headquarters. MTB-News recently published a video report on hub production in Schweinfurt. With the decision to relocate to Asia, this documentary has now taken on historical significance.