1892
WILLEM KÖLLING
postal worker in a Dutch village
DIEREN
decided to engage in bicycle trade, as one of the first noticing the advantages of this new vehicle. Initially, Kölling sold bicycles imported from England. Soon, he established cooperation with a seller in a hardware store
RUDOLFEM ARENTZENEM
1902
The partners bought new rooms and started their own production under the name
GAZELLE
1920-1940
In the years 1920-1940 the company was constantly growing. The domestic market as well as international demand are constantly increasing. This is also due to the growing market for Gazelle bicycles in Indonesia, which was a Dutch colony at the time. Many Gazelle bikes have survived throughout Indonesia to this day and are items sought after by collectors.
1935
The Gazelle company introduces
THE FIRST TANDEM
very popular in the years before World War II. In the year of its introduction
600 TANDEMS
SOLD ONCE
1937
The company produces
THE FIRST ELECTRIC BIKE
designed by Philips, powered by a 12V battery.
A TIME OF WAR
Like many other Dutch companies, war is a difficult period for Gazelle. Most of the factory equipment is dismantled by the German occupier and transported to Germany.
Other machines were blown up just before the Allies arrived.
1946
Is available
FIRST
POST-WAR BIKE
GAZELLE
1954
Gazelle became a public company and produced a millionth bicycle.
1.000.000
bike!
1959
Gazelle patenteeritud
FIRST
3-KIIRE HUB
1960
Gazelle creates bikes that in addition
DRUM BRAKE
in the front hub have
3-SPEED REAR HUB
WITH DRUM BRAKE,
which are still in production today. However, after releasing approximately 45-50 thousand copies were discontinued due to high costs.
1963
The company merges with Batavus from Heerenveen, but the cooperation did not meet the basic expectations and ended after 2 years. In the mid-1960s Gazelle created
RACE BIKES DEPARTMENT
at the Dieren factory, where skilled craftsmen produced handmade racing frames.
1964
Gazelle was the first Dutch bicycle company to release
FOLDING BIKE
1966
Gazelle releases again
TANDEM
- more modern and lighter. In the same year, a 2-million bicycle is created.
SOLD
2.000.000 BIKES
1968
The company acquires bicycle brands such as Juncker, Simplex and Locomotief as well as the well-known brand Moped Berini.
1971
The company acquires bicycle brands such as Juncker, Simplex and Locomotief as well as the well-known brand Moped Berini.
1980
Gazelle was the first to create
AXLE CRANKS WITH BALL BEARINGS
1987
Tube Investments sells its bicycle department to Derby Cycles Corp. This international corporation based in New York currently owns the Raleigh bicycle brand, the English manufacturer of Sturmey Archer bicycle hubs, as well as well-known German bicycle brands such as Kalkhoff, Rixe, Winora and Staiger. At the time of the company's greatest commercial success (around 1980-85), Gazelle
EMPLOYED 35 PEOPLE
1992
The century of the company coincides with the release
8 MILLION BIKE
On the hundredth anniversary of the creation of Gazelle, Princess Margriet gave the company
TITLE ROYAL
(royal).
1999
The company releases
10,000,000 BIKE!
Gazelle currently
WORKING 550 PEOPLE
Gazelle is one of the few bicycle manufacturers of this size that still builds most of its frames itself. 20% of total production is exported to Belgium and neighboring regions of Germany.
2001
Derby Cycles Corporation due to financial problems sold Gazelle to Dutch investment funds.
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
is currently around
380 THOUSAND ARTS
while Gazelle's market share is around
30% PERCENT
2005
By October 2005, Gazelle had produced a total of
12 MILLION BIKES
and until 2008
ANOTHER MILLION
2010
Gazelle is selected
MOST TRUSTED
A BIKE BRAND IN EUROPE
according to Reader’s Digest Review
2011
Gazelle is taken over by
PON HOLDINGS
co-owner of Caravelo and importer of the Volkswagen brand in the Netherlands.
2014
It's time for a new stage!
In order to create space for further increase in production and development, Gazelle begins another
FACTORY EXTENSION
3.IX.2015
Jego Wysokość
His Majesty
KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER
personally opens a new one
PRODUCTION HALL
with area over
7000 m2
n which modern assembly lines and automated paint shop were located.
TODAY
His Majesty
KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER
personally opens a new one
PRODUCTION HALL
with area over
7000 m2
n which modern assembly lines and automated paint shop were located.
