Bicycle Technologies International
| 100px | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Bicycle parts and accessories distribution |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Santa Fe, NM, USA |
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Key people
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Andrew Wright, Founder Preston Martin, Founder |
| Website | www.bti-usa.com |
Bicycle Technologies International, Ltd. (BTI) is a global distributor of bicycle components and accessories, based in Santa Fe, NM, USA. BTI also participates in the community through cycling advocacy[1] on local and national levels. The company is privately held and does not disclose its sales figures.
History
Andrew Wright and Preston Martin founded Bicycle Technologies International, Ltd. (BTI) in Ashland, OR in 1993. BTI introduced the bicycle industry’s first service center that bike shops could send shocks to for tuning and repair, known as Shock Treatment.[2] BTI’s first wholesale catalog, also released in 1993, was a twenty-four page newsprint flyer with hand-illustrated schematic drawings of every major fork design. From the beginning, BTI fostered a close relationship with early suspension manufacturers, offering a full line of replacement components. Today BTI provides suspension repair, tuning and other authorized warranty center services for 18 major brands.[3]
By 1996 the company was looking for a more central location from where they could serve dealers on both coasts. With the help of friends the young company packed up its inventory and relocated to Santa Fe, NM. It didn’t hurt that the new location offered 300 days of sunshine and abundant riding opportunities.[2]
Over time, BTI has expanded its selection with more shop essentials covering every aspect of the modern bicycle. BTI now stocks over 22,000 unique SKUs from nearly 300 brands.[4]
New Facility
In June 2012, BTI publicly unveiled its plans for a new facility. The company announced plans to make a significant investment in a new 47,500 square foot building that will expand the current warehouse operation and will bring two other facilities back under one roof. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez spoke at the event, praising BTI for creating quality jobs in the state. Santa Fe City Councilwoman Rebecca Wurzberger said BTI was the type of locally grown, green company that Santa Fe wants to attract not only for job creation, but for community building activities as well. She cited BTI's role in organizing the 2012 IMBA World Summit in Santa Fe as an example.[5][6]
Situated on a recently purchased plot of land 5 miles from the current warehouse, BTI's new facility will be the anchor tenant for a new master plan employment zone located next to the Santa Fe Community College and near Rancho Viejo. Architectural plans for this site have been completed by Dekker/Parich/ Sabatini Architects. Klinger Constructors LLC has been contracted to undertake construction upon BTI’s acquisition of the property.
Brands
BTI’s high rate of growth is attributed to the company's broad wholesale product selection. BTI inventories components from all three of the largest bicycle drivetrain brands, Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo. BTI also offers a full range of accessories, including computers, lights, pumps, nutrition and apparel.[4]
Services
BTI’s Factory Service Center is a suspension and disc brake repair service that bike shops send repairs to when they do not have the time, proper tools or training to process repairs in-house. The department takes in forks for repair and tuning - replacing seals and performance tuning the shock for the specific rider and terrain. BTI also performs warranty repair services for several of its top brands.[3]
Advocacy
BTI donates funds annually to bicycle interest groups such as Bikes Belong, International Mountain Bike Association and National Bicycle Dealers Association.[7] BTI staff regularly attend the annual National Bike Summit in Washington, DC with the New Mexico bicycle delegation.[8] BTI’s in-house advocacy team is also involved in Santa Fe City and County policy making. In 2010 BTI launched Advocacy Roundup[7] a program that encourages wholesale customers to donate spare change from purchase transactions to a fund designed to promote the work of advocacy organizations. BTI was recognized for its advocacy efforts by the league of American Bicyclists, who awarded the company Gold level status in its Bicycle Friendly Business category.[9]
References
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