“Something of him we cyclists always have on the bike. Without knowing it. Luggage racks, spokes, rims, mudguards or reflectors.”
– Daniel O. Fikuart, former editor in chief AKTIV RADFAHREN
Furthermore, there are LED bicycle lights and battery and motor covers for e-bikes made of injection-molded plastic. In addition to the BÜCHEL brand, the group of companies also includes the brands VUELTA and EXAL (rims and wheels), WITTKOP (saddles) und SEKURA (bicycle locks). In short, we are a manufacturer of bicycle parts and accessories.
102
years family business
40000
km aluminium profile turned into rims per year
7
facilities in Germany
5000000
headlights per year
2500000
warning triangles per year
1
owner
120000000
spokes and nipples per year
350
employees in Germany
the company
Büchel is a family business with a thirst for development and an entrepreneurial spirit. This is reflected in the product range, which extends from the core business, the production of bicycle parts, through automotive supplies to plastics and lifestyle products, as well as in the company’s development. This makes us trustworthy partners for national as well as international companies.
tradition
“Technology around the bike” – with this product range from rims to saddles we have been successful for years. A company history that began 100 years ago – and today makes us one of the largest bicycle parts manufacturers producing in Germany.
Wittkop-Sattel GmbH, which has been in existence since 1898 and is therefore Germany’s oldest saddle manufacturer, is also one of our companies.
We maintain a close and trusting relationship with our long-standing customers, suppliers and employees who have been with us for many years.
innovation
Our SEKUCLIPS® have redefined the spoke reflector.
Together with the Fraunhofer Institute, we have developed STOPTECH, the intelligent brake display function.
Our rear light “EDGE” is the first wireless brake light according to the European ECE directive.
We were the first German medium-sized company to break new ground in China back in 1980. There, joint ventures with reliable partners enable us to continually expand our product range and implement new trends. In the meantime, we also produce parts for the automotive and consumer goods industry in addition to the technology around the bike.
dynamics
Thanks to our diverse production channels, we are flexible enough to implement suggestions and requests for products quickly and effectively, thus meeting our customers’ individual needs. True to the motto “there’s no such thing as can’t”, we manage to find solutions together – no matter what challenge occurs.
Büchel, that is “technology around the bike” – and more. We stand for a history rich in tradition as well as for innovative approaches and a dynamic approach: The combination of tradition, innovation and dynamism is our recipe for success.
The group of companies:
» Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugteilefabrik KG
» Wittkop Sattel GmbH
» Vuelta Deutschland GmbH
» Büchel Industrie GmbH & Co. KG
» HMM Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. KG
» TFV-Fahrzeugteilevertrieb Thüringen GmbH
» Büchel Changzhou Ltd.
» U-Star Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
» Sino-German Bicycle Components (Tangshan Co., Ltd.)
» GEKA Lichttechnik GmbH & Co. KG
» Görner Kunststofftechnik GmbH
» Citizen Buechel Biketech Private Ltd.
company history /
100 years of passion
1920. The Peace Treaty of Versailles comes into force. The state of Thuringia is created. And it is in this very country, in the town of Zella-Mehlis, that the brothers Hugo and Karl Büchel found their company. Tuning forks and toolboxes are initially manufactured there, followed a little later by bicycle parts, especially pedals and hubs.
2020. Büchel manufactures vehicle parts not only in Zella-Mehlis, but at 4 more locations in Germany, 2 in China and one in India. The focus of production today is on LED bicycle lighting, spokes and nipples, wheel guards and luggage carriers. In addition to the BÜCHEL brand, 4 other brands belong to the company: VUELTA and EXAL (rims and wheels), WITTKOP (bicycle saddles) and SEKURA (bicycle locks). We have even made a name for ourselves as a supplier to the automotive industry. In between lie 100 eventful years. Years of research, development, growth and success. But also years full of bitter setbacks – which then only spurred us on all the more to look forward again. Many long-term business relationships have been formed, and some have become friendships. And that’s where we come to you, our customers. With your brands, you are among the best in the industry and we are proud that you have chosen us as your partner. For this we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your BÜCHEL Team
1897
In 1897, the first son Hugo was born into the long-established Thuringian toolmaker family Büchel. In 1902 his younger brother Karl is born.
1920
In order to fulfill their long-standing wish of owning their own business, brothers Hugo and Karl Büchel set up a small factory in Zella-Mehlis/Thuringia to produce toolboxes and tuning forks.
1938
After the addition of bicycle parts such as pedals and hubs to production, the manufacture of toolboxes is discontinued. The brothers work tirelessly to expand the company.
1941
The company reaches its peak with the start of chain production with a workforce of 120, which is reduced to 80 by the end of the war due to employees joining the Wehrmacht.
1945
After Thuringia was assigned to the Soviet occupation zone, the company’s entire machinery was dismantled. The two brothers are not discouraged and buy used machines to get a small production going again.
1948
The production is stopped by the expropriation without compensation. The brothers decide to flee to the western part of the country. By chance, the two meet again in Fulda. There they begin to resume the production of bicycle parts.
1965
After Karl Büchel’s death, his son Bernd takes his place. The company has 180 employees.
1976
Hugo Büchel passes away and Erhard Büchel, today sole managing partner, joins the company in his place.
1979
Construction of a production plant in Kulim, Malaysia, starts in March. The production operation of pedals, hubs and brakes is relocated.
1985
The first license production contract in China is concluded. Production is being relocated from Malaysia to China. In 1985, Erhard Büchel becomes the first German medium-sized company to establish a joint venture in Shanghai for the production of bicycle and automotive parts.
1987
The company Wittkop & Co, Germany’s oldest saddle factory, founded in 1898, is taken over. Today, high-quality leather saddles and comfortable racing, sports and trekking saddles are produced there.
1990
After reunification, investments are made in the new federal states. Hubert Kuhnert’s expropriated company is reprivatized and reestablished with Erhard Büchel as Kuhnert Drahtwaren.
1991
Through a management buy-out Keba Kettenfabrik Barchfeld together with Mr. Röder, Büchel & Röder is created. This is the only manufacturer of spokes and nipples and steel wheel protectors in Germany and Central Europe.
1995/96
Two contractual joint ventures for the production of bicycle lighting and frames are established with Chinese partners in the Shenzhen special economic zone.
2001
Grünert wheel production in Oederan, which had run into economic difficulties, is acquired and completely modernized. As Büchel rim production today over 5 million bicycle rims are produced per year.
2003
Vuelta Germany, which focuses on the production of special wheels, is founded in Oederan.
2006
The company HMM Kunststofftechnik is established in Barchfeld. High-quality plastic parts and components are manufactured there. The production is certified according to TS16949, and is an A-supplier to the VW Group.
2010
90 years of Büchel – a reason to celebrate!
2011
The shareholding in Hua de Plastics in Shaghai was sold after 25 years. A new joint venture was established in Jiashan, U-Star Electronics Ltd. LED lighting is manufactured there.
2012
The Sino-German Bicycle Components Co., Ltd. is established in Tangshan, China. In this latest joint venture of the Büchel Group, mainly steel and aluminum carriers, as well as bicycle rims are produced especially for the Asian market.
2015
In spring 2015, the Belgian brand Exal was acquired together with its production. Exal Europe GmbH produces rims and wheels for the premium segment.
2017
Establishment of the Indian joint venture Citizen Buechel Bike Components in Lhudiana.
2019
Construction of the new spoke and wheel protector production facility in Barchfeld/Thuringia.
2020
Büchel turns 100!
