TIME Bicycles taking steps to convert building into production facility in Landrum, a 'cycle community'

TIME Bicycles has announced its carbon fiber bicycle manufacturing plant in Landrum capping a two-year nationwide search that ended in Spartanburg County.

The announcement was made Thursday, March 23. In the end, it was its vibrant cycling community, vast supplier network, and advanced technology collaboration with Clemson University and the S.C. Fraunhofer USA Alliance that made the difference, according to TIME CEO Tony Karklins.

"The infrastructure that exists within this region for advanced manufacturing is unrivaled," Karklins said in a statement Thursday. "We look to produce the most advanced carbon fiber bicycles in the world, with technologies and partnerships in place to rival production out of Asia."

Located on 30 acres of land backing up to the Saluda Grade Rail Trail, TIME plans to renovate the former 140,000-square-foot Bommer Industries building at 19810 Asheville Highway.

Renovations to the facility will start in April, and the first manufacturing processes will begin by the end of this year, with the facility being fully functional by the fourth quarter of 2024, Karklins told the Herald-Journal.

The company's $6.5 million investment will create 105 new jobs, Karklins said.

The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits and awarded a $400,000 set-aside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

TIME decides to bring bicycle production to United States

Karklins' Cardinal Cycling Group bought the TIME brand three years ago, continuing to manufacture frames at its factory in Slovakia. Two years ago, the company began assembling bikes at a new Arkansas facility.

He began a nationwide search for a place in the U.S. to manufacture bicycles from start to finish.

Finally, Karklins said Spartanburg County was the best fit.

"There is an infrastructure for what we're trying to accomplish," Karklins said. "The front is on Asheville Highway, and the back is on the Saluda Grade Trail. We want to be part of a driving cycle community and workforce that can ride their bike to work."

Recently, PAL (Play, Advocate, Live Well) Spartanburg announced that Conserving Carolina, and Upstate Forever reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern for the sale of the 31-mile Saluda Grade Rail Line.

The trail will run from the city of Inman through Campobello, Landrum, then across the NC border to Tryon, Saluda and Zirconia.

Spartanburg County lands TIMESpartanburg County lands TIME Bicycles factory, largest carbon bicycle factory in US

Cycling-friendly groups, trails, shops, rides in Greenville, Spartanburg area

Karklins said cycling is a big part of the western Carolinas, with the presence of Freewheelers of Spartanburg; the Palmetto Cycling Association; Boyd Cycling of Greenville; and Hincapie Sportswear in Greenville, a high-end sportswear shop carrying technical apparel, gear and casualwear for cyclists and triathletes.

"This opportunity only exists in South Carolina," Karklins said.

There's also the expanding 50-plus-mile Dan Trail system throughout Spartanburg County, and the annual Assault on Mount Mitchell, a 102.7-mile self-paced ride from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in downtown Spartanburg, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the summit at Mt. Mitchell State Park in North Carolina — a total vertical ascent of more than 10,000 feet.

Karl Johnson, president of Freewheelers of Spartanburg, said for the cycling community, TIME's announcement is akin to BMW deciding in 1992 to plant its North American roots in Spartanburg County.

"A lot has sprung up in our area, and I can see TIME Bicycles creating a similar environment for bicycling," Johnson said. "Bicycling of all types will certainly grow in the area."

Michael Forrester, a member of PAL and Freewheelers, said he believes economics played a big role in TIME's decision.

"It was our manufacturing base in the Upstate and skilled workers that was number one, and access to the training grounds and mountains being in the hub of cycling," he said. "I think this company is going to be a great fit for our community."

Larry Hart, vice president of Freewheelers, said he rides a TIME bicycle, renowned for its carbon fiber frames that provide "incredible stability."

"They've been an absolute premier manufacturer of some of the best frames in the world," Hart said. "I built mine from the ground up a few years ago. It is one of my best friends. She takes good care of me."

Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL Spartanburg, said TIME's presence locally "helps put Spartanburg County on the map among top cyclists from around the world."

TIME bicycles have won Olympic gold, multiple world championships, the Paris-Roubais and many stages of the Tour de France.

Spartanburg County officials: Teamwork paid off to land TIME Bicycles

Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt and Katherine O'Neill of OneSpartanburg, Inc., were heavily involved in recruiting TIME.

O'Neill said the vast network of suppliers in South Carolina was a big selling point. Locally, there's fine-wire/fiber braiding manufacturer Steeger USA in Inman and carbon fiber producer Toray in Moore.

"It's almost a bit magical there's such infrastructure for the pieces of the puzzle to be put together," she said.

Britt credited teamwork among local and state officials in convincing TIME to locate in Spartanburg County.

"TIME Bicycles is another premium world-class brand joining Spartanburg's international corporate family," Britt said. "This project is a great example of how and why we had $4 billion invested in our county last year and $9.8 billion in the last five years."

SC Fraunhofer Alliance director Suzanne Dickerson said landing TIME is a big deal.

"Their decision to establish a facility in South Carolina confirms that companies like TIME, who are pushing the advanced technology envelope, found just what they needed in our state's technical applied research expertise and with our advanced composite materials suppliers, making it the perfect example of the advanced circular economy."

Landrum Mayor Bob Briggs said he looks forward to seeing biking enthusiasts from around the world coming to Landrum to visit and enjoy riding the Saluda Grade Trail when it opens.

"Landrum had a legacy business (Bommer Industries) that recently closed, and the TIME Bicycle facility was a perfect fit for that space," Briggs said. "This business will promote Landrum's ethos of Live, Work and Play and add to the quality of life for our city."

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: TIME Bicycles 'helps put Spartanburg County on map among top cyclists'