Job cuts confirmed at Raleigh
British manufacturer to move HQ in wide-reaching restructure plans
Long-standing British bike manufacturer Raleigh has confirmed a round of job cuts.
The company, founded in 1887, has not revealed how many members of staff have lost their jobs, with redundancies coming at its headquarters in Nottingham.
In November, Raleigh’s parent company, Accell Group, announced a review of the business in a hope to “provide insight and a path to sustainable growth”.
Accell Group then began a formal employee consultation and proposed plans to restructure the business.
The Netherlands-based company has now said these plans “will be implemented”, including the “very difficult decision” to lay off staff.
In a statement published by the BBC, a spokesperson for Accell Group said: “Following the launch of a business review and employee consultation, our proposed changes to Accell's UK operations have been confirmed and will be implemented.
"These changes will better integrate Accell UK into the wider Group business and position our UK operations for sustainable growth while retaining our HQ in the Nottingham area.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"This has been a very difficult decision and we are supporting those impacted by the changes, while maintaining our service to our bike shop partners and customers."
As part of these changes, Accell Group will shut down Raleigh’s parts and accessories business and close its warehouse operations, partnering instead with an external provider.
Raleigh will also relocate from its current HQ facility in Eastwood, where around 100 people are employed, to a new site in "due course".
The news comes at a turbulent time for Accell Group - also the parent company of bike brands Lapierre and Haibike - which was reported to have “unsustainable” finances by a credit ratings firm last month.
In a statement shared with Cycling Weekly, an Accell Group spokesperson said it was restructuring its brands “to take costs out of our business and remain competitive in the long term”.
They added that the company has “sufficient liquidity” thanks to a €250million (£216.5million) cash injection from its ultimate parent company, KKR.
Raleigh was acquired by Accell in 2012, having cemented its place as a leading bike manufacturer.
In recent months, the brand has been subject to cost-cutting measures, with its Nottingham showroom 'Experience Centre' closed in November, less than a year after it opened.
Cycling Weekly has approached Accell Group for comment and will update this article if and when they respond.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is fluent in French and Spanish, and holds a master's degree in International Journalism, which he passed with distinction. Since 2020, he has been the host of The TT Podcast, offering race analysis and rider interviews.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill, and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. His best result is 28th in a hill-climb competition, albeit out of 40 entrants.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
'A herculean task' - Paddy McGuinness completes 300-mile Raleigh Chopper ride, raising over £7m for charity
'Every morning when I woke up, everything was aching,' says TV presenter after five-day challenge
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Decline in cycling' cited as Halfords profits fall
Store chain sees profits drop 25% year-on-year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'The first 30 miles were just crazy' - Paddy McGuinness on first day of ultra cycling challenge aboard Raleigh chopper
TV and radio personality completed Peak District training session with Sir Chris Hoy before setting off on mammoth charity ride for BBC Children in Need
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
British cycling clothing brand posts £14m loss, falling deep into the red
Endura enjoyed profitable years during the pandemic, but has since fallen victim to a drop in sales
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Things remain tough for everyone in the trade': Cycling distributors unfazed by plummeting profits
Industry holds optimism for recovery, despite continued losses
By Tom Davidson Published
-
To the Chopper - Paddy McGuinness to ride custom Raleigh in ultra-endurance cycling challenge
Television presenter set to ride 300 miles for BBC Children in Need 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Cycling industry still 'appealing' to investors, despite turbulent post-Covid period
Brands suffered losses, bike shops closed and other areas of sector hit after pandemic, but industry should still be attractive
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Introducing the start-up that helps cyclists find local mechanics and get a 'better service'
'We want to support the majority of the smaller, independent chains that are out there,' says Bikebook founder
By Tom Davidson Published