Engineers from WMG, at the University of Warwick, are providing advanced technology support for Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Pashley Cycles, England’s longest established bicycle manufacturer who, with Serco, who this week won the contract to supply the next generation of bicycles for the Transport for London (TfL) Cycle Hire Scheme.

Under the new contract Serco will introduce bicycles, made by Pashley, with the first ones available at the start of October 2017. The new bicycles, which will be produced in the company’s home town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, used WMG’s technical support and advice to help create cycles that are 10% lighter than the current model and that are designed to give a more manoeuvrable and comfortable riding experience.

Through the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, based at the University of Warwick, and renowned for its expertise in light weighting, the WMG SME Group provided “additive layer manufacturing” and 3D printing assistance to enable Pashley to develop the new bicycle. This support played a significant part in creating the bike prototype, which in turn helped secure the TfL contract.

Scott Crowther, WMG Innovation Manager said:

“Pashley’s continuing partnership with WMG specifically focused on supporting Pashley’s capabilities in the areas of design for manufacture, product innovation, skills development and business leadership. The aim was to ensure the company was effectively positioned to exploit current and future opportunities, and grow their business. The WMG SME Group will continue to support the development of the next generation of Pashley bicycles using the wider knowledge of WMG’s academic staff and world leading resources within its Lightweight Technologies Centre of Excellence and Energy Innovation Centre."

The WMG SME Group has enjoyed a long-standing and successful partnership with Pashley, who celebrated its 90th anniversary last year. Previous collaborative projects have seen the Group providing support in the form of rapid prototyping, customer insight investigations, sales and marketing strategy, and social media to help widen its audience base.

Adrian Williams, Managing Director of Pashley Cycles, said:

“ I am grateful to WMG for providing design and prototyping assistance, which enabled us to present a strong collaborative bid and helped win the contract. These are exciting times for Pashley and it’s great we will be able to access world-leading facilities, resources and technologies at WMG to help us develop an exciting, new range of bicycles for the future.”

Archie MacPherson, CEO of the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult comments,

“We congratulate Pashley on this wonderful achievement and look forward to furthering our close working relationship. Pashley is a great example of an innovative and established, local manufacturer with a great brand and strong commitment and passion for embracing UK manufacturing. The obvious synergies between Pashley and WMG made it an easy decision to formalise our partnership, at what is an extremely exciting phase of development and growth for the company.”

For further information please contact:

Lisa Barwick - Head of Marketing & Communications, WMG
Tel: 024 7652 4721 or 07824 540845
Email: L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

Or

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Media Relations
University of Warwick, Tel UK 024 76523708 office 07767 655860 mobile
Tel from overseas: +44 (0)24 76523708 office +44 (0)7767 655860 mobile/cell
Email p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

PJD 31st October 2017