This is taken from a free magazine front page news
MOTORCYCLE MONTHLY
BANGKOK BONNIES COME ON FULL STREAM
Triumph aim to sell 42,000 motorcycles this year - and almost one in four will be made in Thailand. About 10,000 Bonnevilles and related models in Triumph's twin cylinder retro range will be built at the company's plant at Chonburi, 50 miles west of Bangkok.
America, Australia and the Far East are among markets being supplied from Thailand. Components made at the plant have been used on Triumphs for almost five years and the first complete bike - an American spec bonnie rolled off the assembly line there last summer.
Twin cylinder models for Britain and Europe continue to be made alongside all the company's 'Urban Sports' models at Hinckley.
About 500 people approximately half Triumph's entire worldwide workforce, are employed at Chomburi. The team there include production engineers and quality control inspectors from the UK. Mr Bruno Tagliaferri, Triumph's UK sales and marketing manager, stressed that the plant operated to the same 'high standards and procedures' as the leicestershire site.
He said " All existing design and manufacturing processes - for example, R&D; engine manufacturing and build; injection moulding and paint; parts, accessories and clothing distribution will continue at Hinckley. The existing volume of chassis assembly at Hinckley will also be maintained.
"This manufacturing strategy will enable Triumph to continue to invest aggressively in new models, which are a key ingredient to success in the motorcycle market, and to bring in-house the manufacture of more components and sub-process , giving greater control over both quality and the supply chain. It also enables us to remain competitive in the market place.
"Triumph have had a component plant in Thailand for almost five years and the country's proven track record in the automotive industry, combined with our own experience of excellent quality and a very good work ethic, make it a natural location for Triumph to expand."
Triumph production has risen from 25,000 machines in 2004 to nearly 40,000 in 2006.
A mini survey MCM conducted last summer, after it was revealed that Triumph planned to build complete motorcycles in Thailand, suggested that the 'made in Britain' tag was an important consideration from many UK buyers.
Fears that quality might fall were also expressed, but readers will be suprised to discover that 8000 Triumphs were produced in Thailand in 2006. Asked how the level of customer satisfaction and warranty claims on these machines compared with their UK equivalents, Mr Tagliafferi said: " Build quality is exactly the same and the bikes are subject to the same quality standards."
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