The Dutch are known for their bicycles. In no other country do we cycle as much as we do. Nowadays every household has one or even more bicycles. The best-known bicycle brand is Gazelle. But where are these bicycles made and what makes the Gazelle so special that it has been able to grow into the largest bicycle manufacturer in the Benelux?
History
It all started when Willem Kölling wanted to convey his interest and enthusiasm in the bicycle to the rest of the country in 1892. Willem started a bicycle business in the village of Dieren . He was declared crazy by villagers. In 1892 no one saw a possibility in the then new means of transport. Yet Kölling did not let himself be fooled and ordered a bicycle from England.
And Kölling was right. The demand for bicycles grew rapidly and this growth caused him to collaborate with Rudolf Arentsen . During a walk in the woods that the two gentlemen took, they saw a deer in the woods around Dieren. They thought this animal walked so gracefully and the speed with which the animal took off was miraculous. This led the pair to the name Gazelle, one of the fastest antelope species.
Gazelle continued to grow strongly. More and more bicycles were sold and there was no longer a simple bicycle shop. Gazelle started to become a leading international company with a production of 50,000 bicycles per year. In 1954, production reached one million bicycles. The second million only took twelve years. From 1966 onwards the name Gazelle really caught on and the strong growth continued to increase.
The centenary celebrations were held in 1992. This coincidentally coincided with the production of the eight millionth bicycle. The party was only really over when Princess Margriet granted Gazelle the title of Royal. With this, the Royal Gazelle was born.
In 1999, the Royal Gazelle received another visit from a Royal member. This time it was Prince Wille m Alexander who was presented with the ten millionth bicycle. The thirteen millionth Gazelle was produced in 2008.
Piet Pelle on his Gazelle
Piet Pelle played the leading role in the comic book Piet Pelle on his Gazelle . This booklet was supplied with children’s bicycles by Gazelle dealers from 1930 onwards. It has been the most successful promotional material Gazelle has ever created. Gazelle also owes its name recognition to a large extent to Piet Pelle.
Piet Pelle became a household name in the Netherlands and even in surrounding countries. He was even declared Dieren hero of the twentieth century. In 1997 a statue of Piet Pelle was unveiled . To this day, it is still seen as the symbol of Gazelle.
Organization
Royal Gazelle employs approximately 450 employees. They are responsible for the more than 300,000 bicycles made per year. This makes the bicycle manufacturer the market leader in the Netherlands. In recent years, Royal Gazelle has focused on the organization beyond its own national borders.
Quality comes first at Royal Gazelle. In 1996 they received certification according to the ISO-9001 standards. These standards must guarantee quality. In the Netherlands, Royal Gazelle is the only bicycle manufacturer with this certificate .
Predicate Royal
The Royal designation is an award that can be granted to associations, institutions, companies or foundations.
It symbolizes the queen’s respect and trust. The Queen is therefore the only person who can award the designation. To qualify, an organization must:
- Been around for at least 100 years
- Be very important in their field
- Be demonstrably stable and have a good financial reputation
- Not being part of a larger concern that is already ‘Royal’
- Manifesting itself as a Dutch company
Prices
The fact that Royal Gazelle has a good reputation and is important in its field is proven by the prizes it has won.
- 1988 Bike of the Year: Roadcruiser
- 1991 Bicycle of the Year: Randstad
- 1994 ANWB Children’s Choice Junior FietsRAI
- 1995 Bike of the Year: Espresso
- 1995 Honorable Mention Bicycle of the Year: Medeo
- 1996 Bike of the Year: Skydrive
- 1997 ANWB Children’s Choice
- 1997 Recognition for Good Industrial Design
- 2001 Bicycle Innovation Award: Gazelle Comfort Seat
- 2001 Gelderse Design Prize: Tranza folding bicycle
- 2002 Bike of the Year: ScooterBike Pro
- 2002 ANWB Children’s Choice
- 2003 ANWB Children’s Choice: Shift
- 2005 Bike of the Year: Orange Limited Edition
- 2006 Bicycle Innovation Award: Gazelle Power Eye headlight
- 2006 Bicycle Innovation Award: Gazelle Lite Hybrid Superior
- 2006 ANWB Children’s Choice: Bumper 26,
- 2007 Special Award Bicycle of the Year: Orange Limited Edition
- 2007 ANWB Children’s Choice
- 2008 Recognition for Good Industrial Design: Orange Innergy
- 2008 Dutch Design Award: Cabby cargo bike
- 2009 Bike of the Year: Chamonix Innergy
- 2009 Special Award Bicycle of the Year: Montreux Limited Edition
- 2009 Recognition for Good Industrial Design: FenderVision headlight
- 2010 Special Award Bicycle of the Year: Ultimate Excellent
- 2011 Bike of the Year: Eclipse Limited Edition
- 2011 Three Good Industrial Design recognitions: Balance Innergy, Friiik and PowerClick Evo Integrated standard
- 2013 Warehouse fire
- 2015 Reopening of renovated factory
- 2015 Visit from the royal family for the reopening of the factory
Source: Michiel1972, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Relocation
On November 10, 2010, the newspapers were suddenly full of the Royal Gazelle. A new business premises would be sought. The same day, the grounds around Gazelle were full of press: SBS6, NOS and OmroepGelderland were all present. Gazelle indicated that the building in which they are now staying, which is now 200 years old, no longer meets the safety requirements. In addition, according to rumors, the monumental building would be demolished.
At the beginning of 2011, Royal Gazelle indicated that it would remain in the building. There was no available space in the region and Dieren remained the most practical location from a logistical perspective.
Fire
At the end of 2013, a fire broke out in the Gazelle warehouse in the middle of the night. The fire could be extinguished in time, preventing it from spreading to other production areas.
Reopening
In 2015, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima visited the bicycle factory in Dieren. They did this before the reopening of the factory.