Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur GmbH

Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur GmbH is a German bicycle manufacturer based in Sangerhausen, Saxony-Anhalt. It emerged in July 2017 when the bicycle production assets of the insolvent MIFA-Bike Gesellschaft mbH were sold and continued under the Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur name. The company traces its origins to 1907, when Emil Schütze and Emil Hesse founded the Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke G.m.b.H. in Sangerhausen. Over more than a century, the business experienced numerous transformations: it gained fame in the 1920s through racing successes, converted to armaments production during both World Wars, became the state-owned VEB MIFA-Werk Sangerhausen in East Germany, was privatized after reunification, and was listed on the stock exchange in 2004 as MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG. After financial difficulties and insolvency in 2014, the company continued as MIFA-Bike Gesellschaft mbH, but filed for insolvency again in January 2017. In July 2017, the bicycle production was sold and rebranded as Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur. The company itself filed for insolvency on 17 November 2020. However, bicycle production at the old MIFA site was continued by the newly founded Zweirad Union e-Mobility GmbH, which now operates the Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur brand and other brands. The company produces bicycles and e-bikes, offering assembly, private label manufacturing, contract assembly, and painting/powder coating services. It also operates a factory outlet in Sangerhausen. The brand is positioned as 'Made in Germany' and represents strong brands from central Germany.

The history of Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur GmbH is deeply intertwined with that of MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke, a company founded in 1907 in Sangerhausen by Emil Schütze and Emil Hesse. Initially producing bicycles under the brands 'Barbarossa' and 'Million', the company adopted the 'Mifa' brand in 1912. By 1913, annual production reached 4,000 bicycles. During World War I, production shifted to grenades. After the war, bicycle production resumed in 1920 with new investors. In 1925, the company was acquired by Berliner Druckerei Huck, and by 1927, with assembly line production, it produced 79,000 bicycles with about 700 employees. The company gained prominence through racing successes, with a professional team from 1925 featuring riders like Alfredo Binda and Heiri Suter. The 1930s brought decline due to the Great Depression and Nazi economic policies. In 1937, an explosives depot was established, and armaments production began. By 1939, bicycle production ceased entirely, replaced by war materials including parts for Junkers aircraft. After World War II, the company was taken over by the Soviet Aktiengesellschaft 'Awtowelo' and resumed bicycle production. In 1950, it became the state-owned VEB MIFA-Werk Sangerhausen. From the founding of the GDR until 1990, over nine million bicycles were delivered, including about 1.5 million folding bikes known as 'Minirad'. After reunification, the company, now MDF, struggled to compete. A restart as Fahrradtechnik Sangerhausen GmbH in 1993 failed after two years. In 1996, Peter Wicht and Michael Lehmann acquired the majority, renamed it MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke GmbH, and in 2004 it went public as MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG. From 2011, the product range was expanded through acquisitions. By 2013, with over 500 employees and annual production of 400,000 bicycles, it was the largest employer in the southern Harz region. However, in 2014, after failed negotiations with India's Hero Cycles, the company filed for insolvency. Despite investments by the family of Heinrich von Nathusius, the company, now MIFA-Bike Gesellschaft mbH, became insolvent again in January 2017. In July 2017, the bicycle production was sold and continued as Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur. On 17 November 2020, this company also filed for insolvency. Bicycle production at the old MIFA site was continued by the newly founded Zweirad Union e-Mobility GmbH, which now operates the Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur brand among others.

• 2020

  Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur filed for insolvency on 17 November; production continued by Zweirad Union e-Mobility GmbH.

• 2017

  Bicycle production sold and continued as Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur.

• 2014

  Filed for insolvency after failed negotiations with Hero Cycles.

• 2004

  Went public as MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke AG.

• 1996

  Acquired by Peter Wicht and Michael Lehmann; renamed MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke GmbH.

• 1990

  Taken over by Treuhandanstalt; continued as MDF.

• 1950

  Became state-owned VEB MIFA-Werk Sangerhausen in East Germany.

• 1939

  Bicycle production ceased; fully converted to armaments production.

• 1925

  Acquired by Berliner Druckerei Huck; established a professional racing team.

• 1912

  Adopted the 'Mifa' brand name.

• 1907

  Founded as Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerke G.m.b.H. by Emil Schütze and Emil Hesse in Sangerhausen.

Made in Germany bicycles and e-bikes, strong brands from central Germany, offering manufacturing services and factory direct sales.

• Bicycles

• E-bikes

• Private label manufacturing

• Contract assembly

• Painting and powder coating

1. 1Zweirad Union official websitesachsenring-bike.de
2. 2Wikidata entry for Sachsenring Bike Manufaktur GmbHwikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia article on MIFA Mitteldeutsche Fahrradwerkede.wikipedia.org