Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
It was 60 years ago when Norco’s founder, Bert Lewis, launched his new company out of a makeshift warehouse in a chicken coop in Burnaby.
“He wanted to bring more affordable bikes and better designed bikes to the Canadian market,” said Norco employee Peter Stace-Smith, who has been working since a long time
The company grew through the 1970s with some classic styles before booming as the 1980s approached.
“We started getting into BMX and that was more off a motorcycle where it was kind of a kid’s fake motorcycle,” said Norco Product Manager Jim Jamieson.
Norco produced some iconic models during that time and became a household name in Canada.
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“I think every kid talks about the ’80s, tearing around the neighborhood on a BMX and building jumps in the empty lot,” Jamieson said.
But it was the mid 80’s when things really started to take off with the new sport of mountain biking.
“That changed everything very quickly,” Stace-Smith said.
“Homegrown in BC There is no better place on this planet to have a mountain bike brand,” said Gwen van Lingen with Norco Brand and Product.
The North Shore trails provided a world-class proving ground.
“That was a huge movement because Norco was a big part of that. We were there and we were building bikes made for that,” says Jamieson. “The company moved outside of Canada.”
Over the years, they have had winning designs and podium finishes with some of the best factory teams on the planet.
“If anything it’s gotten better and better and better. “Our current World Cup team is probably the best we’ve ever had,” Stace-Smith said.
The Lewis family still owns Norco six decades later – a long-lasting success story that started with a big dream in a chicken coop.
“It takes a village, as you know, so people are extremely proud of the history in Norco,” van Lingen said.
“This is just the beginning. So wait and book for the next 60 years.”
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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