Brompton founder Andrew Ritchie, London Business School, February 2017

"After receiving an engineering degree from Cambridge University in 1968, Andrew Ritchie worked in London as a computer programmer, and subsequently as a landscape gardener. In 1975, he conceived the idea of a folding bike, a completely innovative product compared to the standards of the industry.
Andrew did a first informal fundraising round among a few friends and built a first prototype “the Brompton bike”. In the following years, the Brompton Bicycle company grew to become the largest bicycle manufacturer in the UK, with more than 45,000 bikes produced each year. Today, the company employs 240 people and sells in 45 countries. Brompton bicycles are still produced in London.
Andrew has devoted most of his working life to creating and making a success of the Brompton bike. He will be telling his story, which will illustrate a few does & many don’ts in getting an enterprise going." www.tellseries.com
"Unfortunately Andrew preferred not to share the slides…"

[@krumovevgeni]

Nearly 70 years old, look at that energy and enthusiasm. Awesome!

[@deepindercheema3772]

I bought Brompton No 004 from that first batch of 30. It was 2nd hand from the works manager at Grosvenor Reeve. I can't remember when I bought it, it must have been the mid 1980s. Grosvenor Reeve was based at the railway arches at Kew and Mr Ritchie worked for G.R as a design engineer on a casual basis. I would like to know when the subscription issue was first mooted, which I regard as a 'proof of production'. Interestingly I heard that the subs required was £300 not £250. 18 months from funding to tooling and a manufacturing learning curve was quite an achievement.

[@nickhumphrey4833]

He is genuinly fascinating- ive watched the corresponding google talk by by the current CEO of Brompton, Will and though Will is hugely respectful you can see the contrasting views of the founder and successor. Britain needs more people like Andrew Ritchie

[@JoseLima-pt9hu]

It's interesting to see that this brilliant presentation of a bike genius, very transparent and honest, full of great advices and lessons learned, gets far less likes than the videos where Will Butler-Adams speaks. Of course the fact that this lecture is one hour long plays a role here. Clearly Butler-Adams is the marketing man, that sells himself and the Brompton bikes very well, while Ritchie is the brain and heart of Brompton.

[@clichethinker]

Even his story unfolds quickly..

[@elcee84]

I actually LOL!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@simonburton505]

What an Amazing man Andrew Ritchie is he should be knighted an absolute mind of knowledge and Gentlemen .

[@christopherellis2461]

What an amazing story From an truly remarkable British inventor/entrepreneur has all the gifted attributes that has put this country on the world centre stage thank you Mr Ritchie from proud owner of Brompton bike and now all family members :) 🚲

[@dronespace]

❤️

[@davidluck4608]

What a very interesting lecture .... I came from an engineering background, having served an apprenticeship at AEC SOUTHALL ( Builders of London’s omnibuses 1912 to 1979) and can only marvel at the innovations that the BROMPTON aspires to ..... I disagree though with the comparison to Rolls Royce, truly the BROMPTON is the “Rolls Royce” of folding bicycles😇

[@BartAnderson_writer]

One of the most difficult (and impressive) moves that Alex Ritchie made was to hand managment of the company over to a young successor, Will Butler-Adams. So many companies go sour because the founders can't let go. Three cheers to Ritchie for managing that transition.

[@gh2310]

What a great talk, would have loved to have been there. A true inventor with passion and conviction for his product with candid delivery throughout. The presentation was thought provoking and engaging.

[@slcocary2571]

Anyone noticed the Bellend on his phone whilst the genius is teaching…

[@PotterSpurn1]

Love my Brommie. Had it since 2008. Glad Ritchie's business hasn't folded. 🤣

[@NakaeAzuharu]

I am glad to see Mr. Ritchie who make a Brompton until now. I very surprise he still able to motivate others. I am very proud of him with the best folding bicycle out there. Even I cant afford one, but I love this bike a lot. May God bless him and his work.

[@pierspim4341]

The brompton is one of the greatest bicycles ever made!

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

A fascinating gentleman, who truly believes in his bicycle. He reminds me very much of Dr Alex Moulton, who I had the privilege of meeting on many occasions, both men were dogged in their determination to achieve engineering excellence. Brompton and Moulton bicycles are often directly and unnecessarily compared, as each seek to achieve different engineering outcomes. Alex Moulton was always gracious in his praise for the Brompton, and it would be nice to think that these two gentlemen were friends, as they would have had much to discuss.

[@mgsee]

Fascinating listening to Andrew Ritchie, especially as I myself have just recently become a member of the Brompton owners club!

[@hecklennon8400]

www.brompton.com/p/795/the-brompton-engineering-for-change

[@mgsee]

@@hecklennon8400 I already have this on my Kindle and currently reading it : )

[@Luminaring]

Interesting how few have seen the bike fold and unfold... Apparently, those people either didn't need it or were never pitched why they needed it. Marketing! Love both the 'engineering of the fold and the eye candy', thanks Andrew! If anyone is interested, I was involved in that marketing survey in early 87'.

[@hecklennon8400]

Considering the massive number of Bromptons in London, I'm also surprised.

[@Luminaring]

Brompton bikes are 99% of the time being ridden, only at start or end are they folded.

[@elcee84]

Perseverance is key 🔑....great product such a QUALITY you cannot compare

[@tomalcolm]

Would have loved the slides edited into the video.

[@hecklennon8400]

I would have added them… had Ritchie made them available.

[@timlorian4256]

The E bike is a definite next step for Brompton. They need a next generation bike to get all us loyal owners(I have three bikes) to return and spend even more on the brand. E-technology extends the range and reduces the inertia and excuses we come up with constantly when we jump in the car to go 3 km down the road.

[@hecklennon8400]

I'm curious to see how many people will shell out £3K to get an e-Brompton. Personally, I'd be more interested in an Alfine 11 + disk brake Brompton around £2K… although that would mean a less compact bike.

[@mujkocka]

I would like to replace my car during good weather times at least. Ebike is a must

[@annag467]

About to straight purchase the electric Brompton today. ⚡️I am not a cyclist. I'm a proud normie with a desk job in the city.

[@creationadorer4690]

Thanks you for this interesting, informative and insightful presentation by the designer and founder of Bromption himself. The cameraman should have zoomed in on the slides when the speaker was making specific references to them. What Brompton needs to improve on is weight reduction, for competitors are already producing considerably lighter aluminium folding bikes with high-end components. Brompton's recent refinements have mostly been cosmetic.

[@hecklennon8400]

I agree. All the more since slides aren't available for download :-/ Personally, weight isn't that big a deal, but I would love 1) the same range of speeds in a single gear hub, 2) better brakes (front disk brake?), and 3) more resilient paint.

[@maxgusatz5644]

Spot on!

[@deepindercheema4917]

21:31 I was told by Neil at Gascoigne Cycles in Coleshill that the subcontractor was just down the road. I am delighted that i have heard it from the boss. I will have to find out more.

[@saurabhsonic]

It's a genius design. So well built. Last's forever. No wonder people trust it and love it. He should have called it the "Ritchie". Before you say he didn't out of modesty - he has no problem taking credit for being correct and prescient - which he should - be cause he was right. 5:50.

[@mujkocka]

I am getting an ebike. Thanks for seeing it through!

[@suneelgaur5246]

A very modest guy...seems to have come from the same mould as that other British engineering genius..James Dyson😃👍

[@davidluck4608]

Suneel Gaur ...... the only difference being, that BROMPTONS are built in England, and it’s a great shame that Dyson cannot build his products here also😇

[@dickybirdcch]

Dyson more of a buccaneering entrepreneur

[@insanogeddon]

So sad in Australia distributors kill the product and rip consumers off $3000 base and EVERYTHING is extra: The Brompton Toolkit ALONE is +$110 evermind .. Lighting (USB or dynamo) Longer seatposts for taller riders (Extended or Telescopic) Different tyres Brooks Saddle Ergon Grips Brompton Rear Rack Essential Accessories to consider include: Front Luggage options Bike Cover Spare inner tube(s)

[@amara6656]

it would have been nice to be able to see the slides..

[@alanpoh2879]

Hope that an affordable model comes out...

[@blockydrums846]

those first few would be collectable

[@deepindercheema3772]

Indeed. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw how valuable 004 could be. 005 was sold for a lot of money in 2009.

[@falcodarkzz]

This was superb and he comes accross as a very bright yet humble chap. I do hope the new CEO takes brompton in the right direction, but I have a feeling he wont. Just compare this talk to Will’s...

[@haekalzenarifin]

Why Mr. Adams won't?

[@CosgroveNotts]

Would be nice to see them cheaper for sure

[@First_Principals]

What type of drive is he talking about at 59 minutes?

[@PaulCreane]

A d drive. (Direct) like shaft drive.

[@jonathanbernadez7545]

Sir plz tell.me if the frame of brompton is made of metal.or alloy? Thank a lot sir

[@alunchisholm481]

The frame is steel. You can buy the front forks and rear triangle made from Titanium, but it's very expensive.

[@hyperspace32]

This is a great talk. Companies such as Apple and Brompton, got lucky because they came across people who could help them fund their business. Those who talk about high taxation and equality, dont realise that sometimes you do need rich people in the community who can help small starts up. Banks don't always lend money (or will only lend when you are established and a success).

[@athomenotavailable]

I wonder what's his profit margin

[@esgee3829]

49:00 the vodka bottle has quite a lot of appeal....lol. i enjoy the product but this guy sounds like he'd be hell in a handbasket to work with. geezus

[@handsonbrompton7875]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Mustafa-ri7gz]

Does anyone know an email address where I can contact Andrew? I use the bike and am happy with it, but in the country I live in you cannot buy the lowest version of this bike without paying the full 5 months minimum wage. This is not acceptable. So I will ask for permission to produce a copy of this bike here. Maybe the patent has already expired, I don't know, but I would like to ask Andrew about it.

[@integratedmarketinglondon]

👍👍

[@Radnally]

1000 made per week. 220 employees. If people dont make things, there are no things.

[@hypojames]

Why are the audience mostly on their tablets and phones?!

[@noeliepollie1973]

Keep brompton mechanical not electric.

[@FrancescaLD]

Despite the British politeness, it's quite clear that Andrew is not the biggest fan of Will. It must be tough to have a business you spent a whole life building being taken over buy someone who you don't feel 100% in sync with. But both Andrew and Will are wrong about one thing - eBikes. They will never catch on and become norm no matter how far we go with technology (or how lazy we become). Simply because there's something fundamentally contradictory and wrong about sticking a motor (electric or not) on a machinery that is designed to be entirely man-powered, independent and free. That's why people ride bicycles - for the untethered freedom. Temper with the core identity you're no longer building bicycles.

[@hecklennon8400]

Besides, the competition is getting closer each day… and they certainly won't be built by hand in expensive London. Will Brompton know the fate of Blackberry? As for ebikes : Some people who need a compact folder for commuting also live in hilly areas. And ebikes are often what gets drivers to switch to cycling, since those people can't even contemplate moving around without the crutch of a motor. As to whether a small company like Brompton should have spent so much resources on building an ebike instead of 1) solving the Brompton's weak points and 2) lowering the price tag like Andrew suggested…

[@mrmusdtard2]

Hi i love my Brompton that was built in 1992 M3l and i like cycling but after 50yrs of being a type 1 Diabetic and kept very well my legs at now 63yrs are not as good as they used to be but i refuse to stop cycling so when i bought the Brompton i bought one that had a nano front wheel electric kit and it is the best money i have ever spent because now i have a choice peddle or not peddle and i am so grateful there was a choice because i want to be out there amongst the wildlife and all the wonders that our earth has to offer Best wishes Brian

[@UnseenSpirit]

E bikes may get less car drivers and more cyclist's. I'm certainly interested about e bikes. I have a numbers of bikes and wouldn't mind an e bike Brompton for holiday's

[@benhall3105]

I don't think Andrew and Will having different views is a bad thing, I think having those different views is what will help Brompton grow yet not lose sight of where it has come from and why. I know where you're coming from but I must disagree regarding e-bikes. There have been many attempts in the past that haven't been all that great, but in the past couple of years the technology has reached a point where it has really viable performance, usability and efficiency. What you will also find is that a lot of the popular systems are actually "pedal-assist" rather than just a straight motor. This means that you can just add incremental levels of assistance to your pedalling motion. E-bikes allow more people access to bikes, and give greater possbilites to many. Brompton themselves have put a lot of resources into electric options for years to develop a system for their bikes, and the first ones are rolling off the line as we speak. Early impressions are that they've nailed it!

[@chrisE815]

I believe ebikes and electric scooters will be a dominant mode of transport in emerging markets. If economic problems, (consumer and govt debt) get bad enough in the West, we might not have the "luxury" of owning a car.

[@skepticalmechanic]

No slide view... I give this video a zero!

[@sdqsdq6274]

overpriced bicycle

[@Ishijah1]

So is it iPhone but that doesn’t stop people from buying it.

[@effyleven]

I bought one yesterday. I spent the evening playing with it and discovering just how sophisticated is the design, and how superbly it is constructed. Indeed, I have flown on airliners that don't fit together as well as a Brompton. My conclusion? Not expensive at all... really it is something of a bargain, IF you can afford it. Cheapest model, £745, but less if you can get the Government subsidy.

[@thraex85]

Buy a brompton an sell it 5 years later, do the same with a mid priced one. Cost of total ownership is quite good and cto is the only thing that matters, except you are broke. An ipod told me that lesson that I bought when I was a poor student,used it 4 years and sold it with a profit. Bought it after the first mp3 player that cost me half of the ipod was garbage after 6 month. I am too poor to buy cheap.

[@ismailnyeyusof3520]

All bicycles are not equal, my friend.

[@campervanman1813]

cheapest option let someone else buy one and Nick it