Orange Bikes looks to have stopped trading as administrators look for a quick sale of the business and its assets.
After
Orange Bikes made a statement saying it was working with specialist business rescue advisory firm J9 Advisory at the start of the month the future of the company is now looking more uncertain as BDO business restructuring partners have been appointed as joint administrators and the company appears to no longer be trading.
Both Orange Bikes and its frame manufacturer P Bairstow are linked by directorship and ownership with the appointed administrators looking to sell the two businesses and certain assets. It is not clear from the posting on
Consultancy.UK if the administrators are looking to sell the businesses together or if Orange Bikes will sold seperately from its frame manufacturer.
| Despite the considerable efforts of management and their teams given sector-wide challenges, the financial position of the companies means that they have been unable to continue operating. The joint administrators will seek to maximise realisations for creditors in line with their duties and are hopeful that a sale of the business and certain assets will complete shortly, safeguarding as many jobs as possible.— Mark Thornton, BDO business restructuring partner |
The latest update states the company's financial performance was greatly affected by supply disruption, increasing costs and the current dificulties facing the cycling industry. The combination of these issues harmed the company's cash flow and financial position which could not be resolved.
The administrators have said they are hopeful they can protect as many of the 44 jobs currently at risk and are aiming for a quick sale of the business.
Update with a statement from Orange:Since reporting on this news we have received an update from Orange Bikes, the brand told us that the phones are still on with staff working to assist customers and dealers in any way needed. We were also told that this part of the process is taking a little longer than expected but there should be some good news soon.
| We’re still here and our customer service team are still at Orange to take any calls or enquiries from the public or dealers and they have been doing so since we entered administration. There’s good news on the horizon and hopefully we’ll be able to update everyone soon. We appreciate everyone's support throughout this process and we’re looking forward to getting back to normal ASAP.— Orange |
You will not meet a more committed and friendly team at that company. They are as close-knit as they could be, they all ride bikes and they all work their butts off to do the best they possibly can.
It irks me when I read all the usual Orange bashing comments as I know everyone that has pulled together to create bikes that are some of the best riding bikes out there. Add that with the benefits of using alloy and manufacturing what they can, I still stand squarely behind them.
I hope they can sort out a routemap and get themselves back on the straight and narrow. And, if they do, all those folks that spread the love and crossed their fingers, be sure to treat yourselves to a new Orange!
I don't think Orange is in this situation because the PB masses took the piss. I run a manufacturing business in the UK and its been a tough few years - all costs have risen exponentially. No one has a crystal ball in these situations and knowing what and when to invest in your business is risky.
I think Brexit has been a factor in this and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth to say the least. I really hope a buyer can be found and if so, that they can continue the company and uphold some of the same values and quality that they have been producing for over thirty years now. Much respect to Orange and and I hope the company and staff can pull together and get through this.
I currently have 3 bikes from other UK manufacturers who are still in business.
All the best bikes in back then where some form of single Pivot .
Slacker..
It’s always a shame when a business goes under, but a business has to perform to stay solvent, and Orange failed to perform.
Well you can with bikes, you can with orange and he is right, for instance Evil have their bikes made in Myanmar and the factory was accused of violently opposing workers unions and poor work practices.
Name checks out.
It's not my job to guide your choices ... do the research, and come to your own decisions.
All my bikes are produced by small companies.
I live off gid, I do all my own construction/fabrication, earth work, livestock rearing, trail building, etc...
Lots of folks go to the gym and sit in a cubicle, it's all about choices.
- Sent from my britPhone -
youtu.be/JDdVxDNU4rI?si=NppQ0LrRQH8TGJyd
Haha
Its sad but if they aren't saved as UK manufacturers they will probably disappear or the brand name will just be taken and used for a different range of bikes absent of the Orange folded metal design.
When people say a single pivot is outdated I always wonder, have you seen a 2024 Moto GP bike?
Form should always follow function.
"After restructuring of the business and its associated companies we are pleased to announce that Orange Bikes is set to continue under Ash Ball.
In simple terms, we’ve strengthened our position to make us more stable, we have plans to move the entire team to its own bespoke location – from welding to marketing and everything in between we will be under one roof for the first time in our history."
Good news?
Thanks for sticking with us!
After restructuring of the business and its associated companies we are pleased to announce that Orange Bikes is set to continue under Ash Ball.
What does this mean?
In simple terms, we’ve strengthened our position to make us more stable, we have plans to move the entire team to its own bespoke location – from welding to marketing and everything in between we will be under one roof for the first time in our history."
"
@Freemij: I used to be the lead mechanic at a Jaguar restoration and service shop. Driven more than I can remember, but probably every model from the Mark 2 until the 5 liter supercharged stuff from the early 2010’s (never a XJ220 sadly). My personal car was a black on black S-Type 4.2 V8.
Can’t demo an Orange so I would never buy one. They were so small as recently as ~5 years ago that I never paid much attention to what they were doing honestly. I’m almost 6’4” and like at the sizing:
m.pinkbike.com/news/review-orange-stage-6-rs.html#geometry
That review is from 2018 - its 6 years old now.
There’s obviously many good reasons why Orange is in this predicament, some of which were not in their control. Who decides to do factory race teams after Brexit? That’s just ridiculous.
www.instagram.com/p/C2kjZOrLO_L/?igsh=ZHJxNGp2dWVhemls
Dang, eh?