Burley co-op pedals through a low cycle
The Register – Guard – Eugene, Or.
Author: Sherri Buri McDonald The Register-Guard
Date: Apr 2, 2005
Start Page: A.1
Text Word Count: 1995
Abstract (Document Summary)
The Eugene-based manufacturer of bikes and bike accessories reported its first loss ever in 2003, while taking on millions of dollars in debt. Despite optimism for 2004, [Burley] looked likely to post another loss when the books closed, according to minutes from a Burley board of directors meeting earlier this year. And a longtime local Burley dealer said he has encountered supply problems recently with some of Burley’s products.
Burley’s internal troubles are also starting to become more visible to the outside. Collins Cycle Shop, a longtime Burley dealer in Eugene, reported recent supply problems. The inventory of trailers is excellent as always, but rain gear is spotty and the lead time to get a Burley recumbent bike has stretched from a few days to more than a month, said Jay Loew, a co-owner of Collins.
The fight to keep Burley going is far from over, said Elliott Gehr, chairman of Burley’s eight-member board, and Tom Wright-Hay, a former ARCO project manager, who was named Burley’s general manager in June 2003.
(the Eugene Register-Guard thinks that they’ll make more money if they charge for stories from their archives!)