Batavus and Babboe parent company to close Heerenveen factory, 160 jobs lost

Bicycle company Accell is closing its factory in Heerenveen, leaving the company without any production in the Netherlands. The closure will result in the loss of around 160 jobs, the company, which owns brands such as Batavus, Koga, and Babboe, said.

According to Accell, production in Heerenveen will be gradually phased out and integrated into existing production sites. The factory is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Future production will be concentrated at the factory in Hungary, supported by a final assembly site in Dijon, France.

The measure follows a previous decision to sell a factory in Turkey. “By consolidating production at fewer locations, Accell aims to simplify operations and improve efficiency, flexibility, and quality,” the company said in a statement.

The factory in Heerenveen is responsible for around 20 percent of Accell’s production. According to the company, a social plan has been set up for employees affected by the decision.

Accell is not disappearing completely from Heerenveen, where the business was established 120 years ago. “Heerenveen will be developed into a location for our strategic center, focused on core activities such as design, engineering, and supportive functions,” the bicycle company stated.

Accell faced financial difficulties after the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the company reached an agreement with shareholders, banks, and financiers to have part of its debt written off and was also granted 235 million euros in additional credit.

During the pandemic, demand for bicycles rose, and many cycling companies placed more orders. However, global logistical problems made it difficult to obtain the necessary parts on time. When demand for bicycles returned to pre-pandemic levels, many companies were left with large amounts of unsold stock.