Bikes emerging from Kent International’s Bicycle Corporation of America (Bca Bikes) factory are set to carry the label “Made in USA with domestic and imported parts,” a significant update following a U.S. Customs ruling. This decision marks a shift from the previous “Assembled in USA with parts made in China” label, signaling a pivotal moment for BCA Bikes and the American bicycle industry.
Arnold Kamler, chairman and CEO of Kent International, expressed enthusiasm about the ruling, stating, “I’m very excited about Customs’ ruling. I don’t think customers are willing to pay 20 or 30 percent more to buy a ‘Made in USA’ bike, but I think they will when it’s only 10 percent more.” This sentiment underscores the delicate balance between consumer price sensitivity and the appeal of American-made products in the bicycle market.
The history of bicycle labeling in the U.S. is complex, often involving interpretations that allowed for “Made in USA” tags on bikes with substantial Asia-sourced components. Even frames imported from China, if painted domestically, have sometimes been labeled as “Made in USA.” Kamler initially questioned whether bikes assembled in South Carolina would meet the criteria for the new label but proceeded with the application.
The Customs investigation into BCA Bikes’ manufacturing process revealed a significant level of domestic assembly. “We are not receiving bikes almost complete from China and then slapping a few final parts on them. We are pushing in headset and bottom bracket cups and assembling the wheels and bikes from components and setting up the brakes,” Kamler clarified. This detailed assembly work convinced Customs of the validity of the new labeling, acknowledging the substantial contribution of U.S.-based manufacturing.
This “Made in USA with domestic and imported parts” designation extends to BCA Bikes’ wheelsets. Despite importing hubs, spokes, and rims, the wheelset assembly and truing conducted at the Manning factory qualify these components for the same label. This is a crucial development as BCA Bikes explores expanding into the private label wheel building sector, leveraging their enhanced labeling capabilities.
Looking ahead, BCA Bikes is committed to increasing domestic manufacturing content. As frame, fork, and handlebar production lines in Manning become operational in the coming years, the company aims to qualify for the “Made in USA” label outright. This more stringent label requires products to be composed entirely, or virtually entirely, of domestic origin.
Automation is central to BCA Bikes’ strategy to enhance domestic production competitiveness. “As we add higher levels of automation at the factory, we are looking to bring our pricing on par with Chinese-sourced bikes, and maybe even cheaper as we do not have transportation costs to tack on. In the Midwest, the ‘Made in USA’ label is very persuasive,” Kamler concluded. BCA Bikes is betting on a combination of strategic labeling and advanced manufacturing to resonate with consumers and reshape the landscape of American bicycle manufacturing.
