The company introduced a cross-trainer bike in 1992 that represented a hybrid of a road bike and mountain bike, but following an expensive promotion campaign, sales of the crosstrainer were lackluster. The problems with True Temper and the ill-conceived introduction of a crosstrainer paled in comparison to Huffy’s overriding problem during the 1990s, however, and that was contending with Asian competitors. Benefiting from lower production costs than their U.S. counterparts, Asian manufacturers enjoyed significant success in the U.S. market during the 1990s, causing considerable havoc for domestic bike producers. Huffy, holding a 30 percent share of the $1.5 billion U.S. market, bore the brunt of the damage stemming from the incursion of Asian producers and saw its profitability sag. The worst period for Huffy arrived in 1995, when the company recorded a crippling $10.5 million loss. For the remainder of the decade, Huffy management devoted itself to curing the ills that led to the devastating loss and implementing measures to ensure that it never happened again.
“We are proud to partner with Chase for his first season as a NASCAR Cup Series driver to bring , in a small way, to the racetrack,” said Kris Parlett of Huffy. Also last year, Sensor Technology Systems Inc. said its move from Beavercreek would result in 120 jobs. The maker of night vision goggles and other electro-optical products for special operations forces, defense forces and law enforcement is consolidating operations at a 50,000 square foot Newmark Drive location. Companies relocating to the Newmark Office Park area have included Acclimate Technologies Inc., which tripled its size after from downtown Dayton.
After short stints as service manager and sales manager, he became works manager and converted the production process to a straight-line conveyerized assembly line. It was just the edge the company needed, and by 1940, bicycle production doubled and sales figures were nearing the $1.5 million mark. Huffman’s improved production rate caught the eye of the Western Auto Company, which became a major customer, and also brought Firestone back into the fold. Grab coffee on the ride and carry it in the convenient beverage holder on the handlebar. The 26″ Huffy Deluxe Cruiser has classic fenders to keep you dry, plus special features like the padded spring saddle and dual-density grips and pedals for comfort and improved handling. Get ready to ride in retro style.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was a primary bike customer, but in 1938 Huffman lost a major portion of the account because it could not match Firestone’s demand. mongoose bmx bike grew out of the Huffman Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1924. Founder Horace M. Huffman, Sr., learned the manufacturing business from his father, George P. Huffman, who owned the Davis Sewing Machine Company from 1887 to 1925. Taking advantage of the growing automotive industry, Horace Huffman’s young company made equipment that could be used in service stations.
In 1980 Huffy posted its fifth straight year of record earnings and announced plans to open a third plant in Ponca City, Oklahoma. However, despite its strong financial position, Huffy was not immune to the problems that most U.S. businesses experienced in the 1980s. In 1982 Harry A. Shaw III was named CEO and immediately embarked on the unpopular road to plant closings and layoffs. Shaw spearheaded the consolidation of all bike manufacturing operations into the Celina plant and sold the Automotive Products Division for cash. Huffy then invested more than $15 million in advanced robotics and new production equipment.
This gives the bike a low center of gravity, while also helping to absorb shock and create a better level of stability, making it a comfortable bike. Cheaper cruisers often huffy mountain bike lack any extra features, taking a more bare bones approach instead to keep the price down. The handling of this bike is graceful, with great geometry for casual rides.
At the time of Huffy’s entry into the market segment, BMX models represented the only segment in the bike industry recording sales growth. By the end of 1997, the company’s financial results revealed the influence of the changes implemented during the previous two years. After posting a $10.5 million loss in 1995, Huffy recorded $10.4 million in net income in 1997.