Details of Triumph's Rebirth and John Bloor

[Zipdot]

I see a few people throwing around some words and numbers about John Bloor, but I think that a lot of what is discussed about him here is incorrect. In other threads, notably the "Karachi" thread, there is some question about where different parts are made and what influence the Japanese had on the new Triumphs.

This article goes into detail about John Bloor and the rebirth of Triumph:

CNN.com

I was surprised to learn that Bloor only put up $100,000 (rather than the $300 million quoted elsewhere on this board). From the article,

"The area that we concentrated on first was to get our quality of design and manufacture right. Possibly we overkilled it a little, but I think it's paying now."

Bloor also looked to Japan to learn about making bikes.

"We purchased the name in January. We went to Japan in June. By September we had scrapped everything. And we started afresh. There was nothing here that we could use for the future."

Moreover, people often claim that Bloor is rich and cares more about bikes than money, but he denies this. He bought Triumph to make money.

[mglemans86]

30k units in 04 projected 80k in 08. I don't know where they stand but it seems that number is not a pipe dream with all of competitive bikes in their line and the updating of models every year.

Anyone know what current production is? and how the other Manufacturers are doing.

To put it in some perspective

It took the Honda Motor Company 57 years to build its first 150 million motorcycles, but at the production rate it projects for 2005—a stunning 12.5 million motorcycles per year—the next 150 million would be on the road within 16 years. That rate of production would also mean that Honda motorcycle production reaches a cumulative total of 200 million units by the end of the decade. However, production will probably grow quickly. In 2004, it produced 10.8 million motorcycles, the first time time that worldwide production exceeded 10 million motorcycles.

[WardenRoss]

I enjoyed reading your post!

After just putting 100K miles on BMWs, and now adding a Triumph to my stable, I am very impressed with the Triumph quality and engineering.

AND I'M DANG HARD TO IMPRESS!

Good show Mr. Bloor!

[Zipdot]

Wikipedia has contradictory and additional information:

Bloor set to work assembling the new Triumph, hiring several of the group's former designers to begin work on new models. Bloor took his team to Japan on a tour of its competitors' facilities and became determined to adopt Japanese manufacturing techniques and especially new-generation computer controlled machinery. In 1985, Triumph purchased a first set of equipment to begin working, in secret, on its new prototype models. By 1987, the company had completed its first engine.

In 1988 Bloor funded the building of a new factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Bloor put between £70million and £100million into the company between purchase of the brand and break even in 2000.

That's some real dough. Wikipedia, however, mentions that Bloor initially had zero interest in motorcycles.

Furthermore, in 2003, Triumph opened a new, cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Thailand. Also, assembly and painting facility in Thailand was opened this year (2006) by Prince Andrew. Triumph is building another facility in Thailand supposedly to be engine manufacturing site.

There ya go - our British bikes are made in Thailand.

[ooobaby]

No, your British bikes are made in Thailand. Mines a 2002 and a purebred.

[Vox]

Zipdot,

I wouldn't doubt that money is attributed to him because he raised it through venture capital in his name, but is protected through corporate law. I doubt his personal fortunes were ever on the line. But, I'll confess to not knowing all the facts. If he did put up his own money, he's got cohones of steel.

[RJScotti]

I must have missed something in this thread. So what is wrong with making money again? I figure making a great product people want to buy is nearly always about making money, right?

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by RJScotti

I must have missed something in this thread. So what is wrong with making money again? I figure making a great product people want to buy is nearly always about making money, right?

Danger, Will Robinson. Statements like that will stir up the anti.....unhh, anti everything crowd. You've probably got them tripping over their Birkenstocks as we speak.

[Zipdot]

I guess I was speaking to the "Would you buy a Karachi Triumph?" crowd. People seemed to be of the opinion that Bloor is some kind of Triumph champion, but in reality, he just barely beat out Enfield of India to the naming rights, and he just bought the name to make some cash - wasn't even a big bike fan, either, as some people claim.

[monkinwitz]

Bonnevilles are made in Thailand only i think i read somewhere, im going there for 4 weeks at xmas and im going to visit the factory