Orange Bikes Resumes Trading Under Owner Ashley Ball
Orange Bikes has announced that, after a restructure of the business and its associated companies, trading is set to continue under the ownership of Ashley Ball. This follows recent turmoil for the company that saw administrators take over the business, with a view to selling the brand and its frame manufacturing company. Now, it seems Orange Bikes itself has somehow been able to acquire its UK frame manufacturing partner, which will allow them to unify the entire production process in one location.
Happily, the Orange Bikes website appears to be back up and running. The full press release follows.
![photo]()
Press Release
Our Heritage
Orange Bikes has a rich history that spans over three decades. Since our establishment in 1988 in the north of England, we have always been a hub for talented athletes and have produced some of the most iconic bikes in the industry. Over the years, our bikes have become synonymous with quality and performance.
We know that Orange Bikes holds a special place in the hearts of cycling enthusiasts. Whether it's the aspiration to ride one of our bikes or the pride of owning one, we're aware that everyone connected to cycling has their own unique Orange Bikes story.
We are grateful for the support and loyalty of our customers throughout the years. The passion we see for our brand has been instrumental in our success.
We remain committed to delivering exceptional bikes and continuing to be a driving force in the cycling community.
![photo]()
Our Future
As part of a restructure, Orange Bikes has successfully acquired its UK frame manufacturing partner. This is a significant development that brings us one step closer to realising our ambitious plan of having the entire company exist under one roof.
With this acquisition, we will be able to streamline our operations and create a more efficient production process. The new facility, just 2 miles from our current headquarters, will serve as the new home for Orange Bikes. It will house both frame fabrication facility and bike assembly, allowing us to unify the entire production process in one location.
This integration will enable us to have greater control over the manufacturing process, ensuring the highest quality standards for our bikes. From the delivery of the aluminum for which we are famed, at one end of the factory, to the shipment of complete bikes from the other, we will have a seamless and efficient workflow.
We are excited about this new chapter in the Orange Bikes story and the opportunities it presents. This move not only strengthens our position in the industry but also demonstrates our commitment to British bike manufacturing.
![photo]()
Through the streamlining of our business, we have been able to preserve jobs and reinforce the stability of the Orange brand. This strategic decision ensures a promising future for British bike manufacturing in West Yorkshire for at least another 35 years.
We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and remain dedicated to producing high-quality bikes that meet the needs and expectations of our customers.
We’d like to thank our customers, friends, colleagues and peers for all their support during this challenging time and welcome them along for the ride in this next great chapter of Orange Bikes.
 | Through the streamlining of our business, we have been able to preserve jobs and reinforce the stability of the Orange brand. This strategic decision ensures a promising future for British bike manufacturing in West Yorkshire for at least another 35 years. |
Happily, the Orange Bikes website appears to be back up and running. The full press release follows.
Press Release
Our Heritage
Orange Bikes has a rich history that spans over three decades. Since our establishment in 1988 in the north of England, we have always been a hub for talented athletes and have produced some of the most iconic bikes in the industry. Over the years, our bikes have become synonymous with quality and performance.
We know that Orange Bikes holds a special place in the hearts of cycling enthusiasts. Whether it's the aspiration to ride one of our bikes or the pride of owning one, we're aware that everyone connected to cycling has their own unique Orange Bikes story.
We are grateful for the support and loyalty of our customers throughout the years. The passion we see for our brand has been instrumental in our success.
We remain committed to delivering exceptional bikes and continuing to be a driving force in the cycling community.
Our Future
As part of a restructure, Orange Bikes has successfully acquired its UK frame manufacturing partner. This is a significant development that brings us one step closer to realising our ambitious plan of having the entire company exist under one roof.
With this acquisition, we will be able to streamline our operations and create a more efficient production process. The new facility, just 2 miles from our current headquarters, will serve as the new home for Orange Bikes. It will house both frame fabrication facility and bike assembly, allowing us to unify the entire production process in one location.
This integration will enable us to have greater control over the manufacturing process, ensuring the highest quality standards for our bikes. From the delivery of the aluminum for which we are famed, at one end of the factory, to the shipment of complete bikes from the other, we will have a seamless and efficient workflow.
We are excited about this new chapter in the Orange Bikes story and the opportunities it presents. This move not only strengthens our position in the industry but also demonstrates our commitment to British bike manufacturing.
Through the streamlining of our business, we have been able to preserve jobs and reinforce the stability of the Orange brand. This strategic decision ensures a promising future for British bike manufacturing in West Yorkshire for at least another 35 years.
We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and remain dedicated to producing high-quality bikes that meet the needs and expectations of our customers.
We’d like to thank our customers, friends, colleagues and peers for all their support during this challenging time and welcome them along for the ride in this next great chapter of Orange Bikes.
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Member since Oct 26, 2023
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Happy that you survived to fight another day. However, if you just keep doing what you’ve been doing, even with your new “seamless and efficient workflow”, you’ll be back in administration in a couple of years. As the rare American who has actually owned an Orange, I was underwhelmed 12 years ago. Having just ridden a new-ish Orange on a recent visit to the UK, I was again underwhelmed but also sort of disappointed that so little had changed in 12 years when it wasn’t so great back then. Once you were innovators, then you decided to wallow in “tradition” as innovation in the bike biz went on without you. I respect tradition, but in no way does it move me to buy an MTB. Innovation does move me. (and no, making e-bikes isn’t innovation) Good luck and looking forward to a fresh crop of something new.
The electric motorbike in the picture also has way more than two bearings…
In the flesh they're amazing looking bikes, they're light and they're made in the UK. The multi link bikes still look like orange bikes, whilst improving the suspension performance for longer travel bikes.
I think they can do well if they cut down their SKU count and focus on the right stuff.
It’s like photoshop for business, one wave of the Mouse and the debt is gone.
Yes the cycle trade is having a hard time, other business’s are managing to keep there head above water though. In 2015 when Ball purchased Orange the bikes were getting good reviews in the media, they were sponsoring WC Dh’ers and most importantly had a huge dealership network in the UK. The business has been on a steady decline since then.
I believe Ball purchased Orange because it was an opportunity for him to take control of his biggest customer and therefore secure business for Bairstows. Without Wade & Noble at the helm though the brand seemed to stop developing/evolving. I might be wrong but I believe Bairstows/Ashley Ball had no experience in bike frame manufacturing until Steve Wade approached them with plans for a swing-arm made out of sheet aluminium. It seems to me that Orange became so committed to folded aluminium sheet construction not necessarily because it was the best thing for Orange but because it was the best thing for Bairstows.
You only need to look at the materials and manufacturing techniques Orange had used before Ball bought Orange to see that the brand was not tied to any particular material/technique. I’m pretty sure that just before Orange was sold to Ball either Wade or Noble said that Orange were about 2 years away from being able to manufacture out of carbon in the UK.
It will all be on our statutory company register ("companies house") in fullness of time.
As one lawyer once said to me "I can't believe this is still legal, but it is".
bikebiz.com/new-owner-for-orange-bikes
There is a minimal amount of effort required to try the sell the business to other buyers but they are at a disadvantage as their time window to decide is small.
So you can basically carry on as you were without the debts. Not quite as simple that in practice but that's the main reason it's done.
Just explaining how the new owners can be very much linked to the old owners
In practice though if you want to keep working with someone you previously owed money to you would need to come to some arrangement.
It's not without other hangovers but you keep the good bits of a business and drop the debts.
It's there to preserve businesses that are otherwise viable but have become overcome with debt.
This isn't Fair. I've assumed there are debts rather than just plain old "not enough money" to operate the business. Ie, cash flow issues.
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That welding photo has a frame jig with the lock nut not done up. This leaves the opportunity for the thread to take all the sideways load and wobble about. Which, you may agreed, is not a great thing to have when you want a straight seat tube.
What’s not to like?
At least as a customer, you can claim you had a part to play in the R and D as yet another frame / chainstay / BB Interface delaminates !!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlIYEdRFQu4
P.S. I do not know how good Orange to ride, but it sure it one of the ugliest bikes on a market, so maybe it should die lol
P.S I too don't know how good they are myself as I have never ridden it but for what I have seen and read they are not good at all.
but you are stupid, I will give you a hint, 2nd video - www.tiktok.com/@alexandersonmtb/video/7264560704890457387
I am only insulting you because you seems retarded. You are looking at the video and still telling me that is a small jump? Or are you jealous that you cannot do such small jumps?
Anyway, I am out. I proved you are wrong, and I know you won't be able to accept that and will come up with some another retarded respond. Have a nice day and f*ck you