| 3 MANUFACTURING Hybrid Bikes Hybrid Bikes enjoys a supreme ride Kim Newth Frank Witowski: “There were a lot of really strong entrants so being picked as the supreme winner is mind blowing for us.” Like so many great kiwi ventures, award winning Hybrid Bikes started modestly in a home garage in 2017. In this instance, it was a garage at the top of a hill in Nelson, where enterprising engineer Frank Witowski set to work one day designing and building an e-bike for his own use. Having recently recovered from cancer at the time, Frank had been thinking about his health/fitness and what to do next. “I had started looking around at e-bikes but couldn’t find one I wanted so thought I’d try making one instead using my engineering skills. It turned out to be a very cool bike – super lightweight and nimble with a carbon fibre frame - and soon people were asking ‘where did you get it from?’ It was making me fitter so I thought ‘hey, why don’t I make e-bikes for other people too’. The business fell into place from there.” Within six months, TVNZ’s Seven Sharp team had turned up to talk to Frank about his new carbon-fibre kiwi hybrid that was fast gaining traction in the local market against some of the world’s biggest cycling brands. Demand has kept on accelerating and today Frank is busier than ever in his garage, custom making hundreds of Hybrid Bikes at a price point that is affordable for every day kiwi cyclists. Next stop, he says, is Australia with plans underway to start up Hybrid Bikes out of Perth and Brisbane in coming months. In October, Hybrid Bikes was named the 2021 Supreme Winner of The David Awards, New Zealand’s small, home and micro business awards. Judges praised Hybrid Bikes for punching above its weight in a challenging market, while supporting and remaining connected to its local market and staying climate positive. Hybrid e-bikes are today the only climate positive e-bike available in New Zealand, having partnered with eKOS to offset any carbon emissions generated in making bikes. The David Awards’ judges praised Frank’s engineering and entrepreneurial skills and persistent hard work to fulfil his vision. “There were a lot of really strong entrants so being picked as the supreme winner is mind blowing for us,” says Frank. “I think what the judges were looking for was the full package and that’s what we have achieved by creating a unique product from scratch, marketing it and establishing a brand, all in a very short time timeframe.” Along with engineering know-how, Frank was able to draw on past entrepreneurial experience in launching Hybrid Bikes. His previous business ventures include Solar Technology Systems, focused on designing and manufacturing solar water heating systems, (and sold to Sir Steven Tindall’s K1W1 investment company in 2009); and Solar Electric Technology, focussed on Solar PV systems installation. He is also experienced as an international sales and marketing consultant. Hybrid Bikes offers a custom-built range of carbon fibre cruisers, commuters and hard trail mountain e-bikes as well as a nationwide network of service agents. Customer reviews are consistently positive, highlighting Hybrid Bikes performance on factors such as reliability, comfort, power and lightweight strong frames. “People pick the base model but we can modify them in whatever way they want, so the consumer is very much part of the journey. I think this is another point of difference, as we like to spend that extra time with clients and let them design their own bike so they can ride out with a smile on their face. “I’m very fortunate to have Jim Matthews with me too, who had a bike shop for 29 years and is well-known in cycling in New Zealand. He’s retired but has been a great help to me in the business.” Frank is proud that Consumer NZ has rated Hybrid Bikes the second best e-bike brand in NZ three years running. “We’re holding ourselves up there with the biggest brands in the world.” 03 548 1549 L1, 47 Bridge St, PO Box 210, Nelson 7010 info@wkstrawbridge.co.nz www.wkstrawbridge.co.nz Proudly supporting Hybrid Bikes Move Logistics and TNL International are proud to be associated with Hybrid Bikes as one of their key logistics providers around their international requirements. We look forward to continuing the ongoing relationship and association. Contact TNL International Nelson 03 545 9457 Contact Move Logistics 03 546 0099 tnlintl.com • Brooks Leather Saddles • Wheels MFG Dropouts & Enduro Bearings • Phillips Accessories • Chepark Sprays & Oils • Jagwire Inner Cables & Outer Casings • Koolstop Brake Pads • DeFeet Cycling Socks • CicLovation Handlebar Grips & Tape • Oils & Grease 10F Sheffield Cres, Christchurch | 03 358 2890 | sales@brianphillips.co.nz | www.brianphillips.co.nz NEW ZEALAND WHOLESALER & DISTRIBUTOR OF QUALITY CYCLE PRODUCTS
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