Gazelle (bicycle company): Difference between revisions
→External links: remove the spam, see WP:EXT |
m tags and general fixes, removed stub tag using AWB (8853) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox |
{{Infobox company |
||
| name = Royal Dutch Gazelle |
| name = Royal Dutch Gazelle |
||
| company_logo = |
| company_logo = |
||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Royal Dutch Gazelle''' is the largest<ref>{{nl icon}} [http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/1097/gazelle-neemt-koppositie-over.html "Gazelle neemt koppositie over,"] Tweewieler.nl (28-10-2008).</ref> and most famous<ref>http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/1144/gazelle-onmisbaar-voor-nederlanders.html</ref> [[bicycle]] manufacturer in the Netherlands. Gazelle employs 550 workers at its factory in [[Dieren]], [[The Netherlands]], producing 300,000 bicycles a year. Total production has passed 13 million. |
'''Royal Dutch Gazelle''' is the largest<ref>{{nl icon}} [http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/1097/gazelle-neemt-koppositie-over.html "Gazelle neemt koppositie over,"] Tweewieler.nl (28-10-2008).</ref> and most famous<ref>http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/1144/gazelle-onmisbaar-voor-nederlanders.html</ref> [[bicycle]] manufacturer in the Netherlands. Gazelle employs 550 workers at its factory in [[Dieren]], [[The Netherlands]], producing 300,000 bicycles a year. Total production has passed 13 million. |
||
== History == |
== History == |
||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
[[Image:Gazelle Omafahrrad series -2.jpg|thumb|225px|A vintage 1954 Ladies Gazelle]] |
[[Image:Gazelle Omafahrrad series -2.jpg|thumb|225px|A vintage 1954 Ladies Gazelle]] |
||
The company was founded 1892 by Willem Kölling and Rudolf Arentsen. |
The company was founded 1892 by Willem Kölling and Rudolf Arentsen.<ref name="CR003">http://www.rijwiel.net/gazellee.htm</ref> Initially they sold bicycles imported from England. They started their own production using the Gazelle name in 1902. Gazelle is now owned by Pon, a Dutch company that also owns [[Cervélo]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Cervélo's White: We can grow by delivering |url= http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/6502.html |author= Steve Frothingham |publisher= Bicycle Retailer and Industry News |date= February 19, 2012 |accessdate= February 25, 2012}}</ref> |
||
During the period from the 1920s to the 1940s, Gazelle had success exporting bicycles to the [[East Indies]]. Many Gazelle bicycles survive throughout [[Indonesia]] even today and are a highly sought after Dutch collectors item. During this period, Gazelle was to use the Piet Pelle cartoon character throughout many advertising campaigns. [http://www.vimeo.com/1132271 This video] from 1925 shows the Gazelle factory and production techniques. |
During the period from the 1920s to the 1940s, Gazelle had success exporting bicycles to the [[East Indies]]. Many Gazelle bicycles survive throughout [[Indonesia]] even today and are a highly sought after Dutch collectors item. During this period, Gazelle was to use the Piet Pelle cartoon character throughout many advertising campaigns. [http://www.vimeo.com/1132271 This video] from 1925 shows the Gazelle factory and production techniques. |
||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
[[Category:Cycle manufacturers of the Netherlands]] |
[[Category:Cycle manufacturers of the Netherlands]] |
||
[[Category:Companies established in 1892]] |
[[Category:Companies established in 1892]] |
||
{{cycle-manufacturer-stub}} |
|||
[[cs:Gazelle]] |
[[cs:Gazelle]] |
||
Revision as of 11:52, 4 February 2013
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycles |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Headquarters | The Netherlands |
| Products | Bicycles and Accessories |
Number of employees | 550 |
| Website | http://www.gazelle.nl |
Royal Dutch Gazelle is the largest[1] and most famous[2] bicycle manufacturer in the Netherlands. Gazelle employs 550 workers at its factory in Dieren, The Netherlands, producing 300,000 bicycles a year. Total production has passed 13 million.
History
The company was founded 1892 by Willem Kölling and Rudolf Arentsen.[3] Initially they sold bicycles imported from England. They started their own production using the Gazelle name in 1902. Gazelle is now owned by Pon, a Dutch company that also owns Cervélo.[4]
During the period from the 1920s to the 1940s, Gazelle had success exporting bicycles to the East Indies. Many Gazelle bicycles survive throughout Indonesia even today and are a highly sought after Dutch collectors item. During this period, Gazelle was to use the Piet Pelle cartoon character throughout many advertising campaigns. This video from 1925 shows the Gazelle factory and production techniques.
Developments include a collapsible delivery bicycle in 1930 and a tandem bicycle introduced in 1935. An electric bicycle was produced in 1937 together with Philips. In 1954 Gazelle became a public company and built its millionth bicycle. In 1959, Gazelle patented the first 3-Speed grip shift gear system.
In the mid 1960s Gazelle built a "Special Racing Division" workshop at their factory in Dieren. In this workshop race frames were handbuilt by skilled craftsmen. At the height of their commercial success (around 1980-85) about 35 people were employed. Gazelle had success with the steel framed "Champion Mondial" bicycles and sponsored the now infamous TVM racing team. The team folded in 2000 because of a doping scandal.
Gazelle was the first Dutch bicycle manufacturer to introduce the "Kwikstep" folding bicycle in 1964. The front-hub drum brake was developed in 1968 and is still in production today.
The centenary in 1992 coincided with the eighth millionth bicycle produced. Princess Margriet classified the company “Royal” Gazelle in honor of the anniversary. From then on one million bicycles were produced every three to four years.
Today
In 2009, Gazelle won the Dutch Bike of the Year with the Chamonix Innergy electric bike. This was the first time in the competitions history that an electric bike had won the prestigious award.
In 2010, Gazelle was voted the most trusted bicycle brand in the Readers Digest annual brand survey in Europe.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Template:Nl icon "Gazelle neemt koppositie over," Tweewieler.nl (28-10-2008).
- ^ http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/1144/gazelle-onmisbaar-voor-nederlanders.html
- ^ http://www.rijwiel.net/gazellee.htm
- ^ Steve Frothingham (February 19, 2012). "Cervélo's White: We can grow by delivering". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
- ^ http://www.tweewieler.nl/nieuws/2003/gazelle-ook-in-2010-betrouwbaarste-fietsmerk-.html