Kharkov bicycle factory - history, products and interesting facts

The Kharkov bicycle factory was founded by a Russian merchant about 130 years ago. Before the revolution, the factory bikes were called "Russia", they were bought by the military department for the army, and the company introduced advanced technologies, trying to surpass European analogues, which in many cases was successful. In the Soviet period, the dream of all cyclists was a bike brand "Ukraine". Today the plant produces modern models of bikes.

The Riga innovator

The Kharkov bicycle factory originates from the times of tsarist Russia. In 1889 the Russian merchant AA Leitner opened a small factory in Riga to produce a new, rapidly becoming fashionable equipment - bicycles. Initially, the staff consisted of only three workers and the owner, who produced bicycles such as "spider". Gradually, production developed. The merit of Leitner is that, as a true entrepreneur, he sought to provide the best products to the buyer and he knew in it.

Alexander Leitner was a man with excellent qualities of an entrepreneur and knowledge of a design engineer. As a member of the board of the Riga Bicycle Society, he attended exhibitions in different countries around the world and followed the novelties on the bicycle market. Fashion for a new mode of transport was gaining momentum: to replace cumbersome "spiders" came models such as "saftey." For a long time, the product was distributed only in several provinces adjacent to the production, which already had its name - "Russia".

In 1896 the factory takes part in the All-Russian exhibition that took place in Nizhny Novgorod. The stand with products Leitner, consisting of twelve models of bicycles, was a resounding success. By this time the production produced 15 names of road and racing bicycles. Mr. Leitner received the exhibition medal, which was a sign of recognition and helped bring products to the national level.

Military order

By the beginning of the 20th century, women's, men's, road, cargo, children's, tandem bicycles were manufactured at the Rossiya factory. The whole assortment numbered more than 20 models. The price policy was democratic, so the cheapest bicycle cost 130 rubles, multi-seat models were valued at about 450 rubles. Leitner himself innovated in the design of the rear hub and patented the invention, which proved to be very successful, providing domestic bicycles with high competitive advantages in the world market.

The military department of tsarist Russia paid attention to innovations, and in 1913 the factory received an order for the manufacture of 1,000 men's bicycles. Such orders raised the rating of the company to the highest level, which positively affected the number of other orders of the factory. The annual turnover of the company reached 400 thousand rubles, and the output indicated a figure of 8 thousand units per year.

From Riga to Kharkiv

In 1915, the front line passed near Riga, it required the evacuation of enterprises of strategic importance. July 24, 1915 all production facilities were forwarded to Kharkov, in the premises of the former factory Gelfirix-Sade. At the new location in 1916, the enterprise launched the production of folding military bicycles Dux Combat. Under the contract, the company was supposed to ship 3,000 army bicycles to the military department.

Until November 1917, 3600 combat models were sent from the Leitner plant to the front. Over the whole history of the company's existence more than 100 thousand bicycles were manufactured from production lines, over 60 models were mastered. In the asset of the pre-revolutionary history of the company is the release of the first motorcycles, tricycles and several types of cars.

After the revolution

After the revolution and the end of the war, the ravaged country needed transport. As it turned out, the bicycle is ideal in all respects. By the beginning of the First World War in Russia, there were two major bicycle manufacturers - the Moscow plant "Dux", during the war re-profiled for the production of aircraft, and the plant Leitner, prudently evacuated to Kharkov. In pre-revolutionary times, Russia produced about 25,000 bicycles a year.

In 1923, the Kharkov Bicycle Plant, still called Leitner's enterprise, produced only a few thousand machines a year with great difficulty. The city authorities decided to optimize production facilities and organize a bicycle state plant named after GI. Petrovsky. As part of the modernization stages, the production capacities were transferred to new workshops, where the branch of the railway approached. The total area covered an area of more than 3 hectares.

By the beginning of the restoration of the plant in the state there were about 50 experienced employees who had rich practical experience. Of these, the main staff of mentors, masters and instructors was formed, who were to teach newcomers to work on non-standard high-end equipment. In 1924 the Kharkov Bicycle Plant completed the year with the release of more than 1 thousand bicycles.

Increasing production rates

People say - "the game is made for invention", which is fully confirmed in real life. In a devastated country, there were no components for the production of bicycles, but there were many manufactures with unclaimed products. By simple meditations and adjustments the plant's masters began to use the Cossack peaks, deposited on the territory of the neighboring plant since the First World War, instead of the English frames.

By 1926, foreign components were purchased. From England, steel seamless pipes, bicycle chains, belts for cold-rolled rims, chemical products and consumables were issued. Some of the necessary materials were imported from Germany.

A sufficient number of materials and full production cycles allowed the release of the first official bicycle of its own production, called "Ukraine". Until 1927, the Kharkov Bicycle Plant on old equipment produced almost 12,000 bicycles of this model.

Evacuation

The Kharkov bicycle plant was subject to modernization in 1929, which made it possible to master the production of improved models and to increase the annual output of finished products. Until 1941, the company produced about 1 million bicycles. With the outbreak of hostilities, the factory was hastily evacuated to Bukhara, where in a few weeks the production cycle was set up, focused on production for the front.

With the cardinal change of the situation at the front, it became clear that the Kharkov bicycle plant would be returned to Ukraine. In the fall of 1944, the process of re-evacuation began, and already at the beginning of the next year the enterprise restored production of equipment for military purposes. In June 1945, the plant began to produce peaceful products - bicycles.

Recovery

The post-war years brought rapid development to the enterprise. Products Kharkov bicycle factory was in demand throughout the USSR. In 1948, lines for the production of female and children's models were laid. Employees of the design bureau of the plant worked on new samples: talented engineers and technicians. According to the plans, by the end of the five-year plan, the plant was to produce 350,000 units a year.

The enterprise grew, new workshops appeared, the staff increased. On the development of production in 1948, the company was allocated three million rubles. Part of this money was spent on housing for workers. The enterprise worked in three shifts. In 1949, a model of the B-31 sports bicycle was developed at a single speed, later upgraded to two speeds.

Bicycles of the Kharkov bicycle factory in 1950 took part in the international competitions, not conceding in technical and qualitative characteristics to foreign analogues. In 1948, the expansion of production facilities and the reconstruction of the enterprise began. This served as an extra-scheduled release of the necessary equipment for 10 340 units of production.

Much attention was paid to the social sphere. Along with the expansion of factory premises, housing was built, social facilities - dining rooms, rest houses, a library, children's circles of creativity and sports sections began to work.

Flowering and restructuring

In the mid-seventies, the plant produced a wide range of products, including sports, children's, travel and other models. The total output reached 800 thousand bicycles per year. HVZ was the only specialized enterprise in the country where the production of high-class and quality light and high-quality sports bicycles was conducted.

In 1979, by the time of the Olympic Games in Moscow, at the Kharkov Bicycle Plant, they developed unique models of sports bicycles - Moscow-80 and NW Champion Highway. The sportsbike frames were made of hydrocarbon fiber and had an innovative design solution. Unfortunately, the models were not completely ready for the Olympics, and the project did not develop.

In 1983, a 23 millionth car came off the assembly line of the Kharkov bicycle factory. The beginning of the nineties for all spheres of production brought about a breakdown in economic ties and a drop in output. The financial state of the HBZ was significantly undermined. In 1991, the company PSC "YUSI" became the main shareholder of the Kharkov bicycle plant.

Since 2001, the volume of production is increasing, the range of bike models is expanding. Some of the products are produced under the trademark "Vodan". For today the company forms dealer networks in Ukraine and in Russia.

Production

Bicycles ХVЗ (Kharkov bicycle factory) enjoyed great popularity throughout the Soviet Union. Many models became legendary, renowned for their quality and ease of repair. Boys of the whole country learned to ride and mastered engineering skills with bicycles "Ukraine".

The most popular models of HVZ:

• "Ukraine". The most mass brand of the bicycle, which received a large number of modifications. Classic samples were made in male and female versions and went equally well on asphalt and dirt roads. The model "Ukraine LUX" differs from the classics by the presence of rims made of an aluminum alloy. The comfort of long trips is provided by the connecting rod, the carriage unit and the front brake. The model is produced with a traditional and understated upper crossbar, equipped with a spacious trunk, extended flaps and footboard.
• "Tourist". Also the legendary bike model. From the "Ukraine" was distinguished by a light weight, narrow tires and four switchable speeds. The handbrake in the basic configuration had rear and front drives. In modern high-speed models, the frames are made of steel, the construction is welded. Spare parts of the bicycle are manufactured by Ventura. The price for it is small, and reliability exceeds many known models.
• "Tourist Start-Highway" - was intended for professionals, but it was easily mastered by amateurs. A feature of the model was the light weight of the frame of alloy steel, only 2.2 kilograms. The bike was equipped with two gears on the rear wheel and five on the front. Comfort and safety were provided by tick-brakes, a frame seat and reinforced pedals.
• "Sport". The bike was characterized by a total mass of 14.5 kilograms, a front steel fork, a system of eight gears and a remote steering wheel. The model was produced in the 70's and was very popular with amateur athletes.
• "Record" is a track model weighing 8.5 kg for professional racers.
• "Sputnik" is a bicycle model, loved by active tourists. It was intended for long cycling tours both in the city and on dirt roads. Characterized by increased comfort and impact resistance.

Almost 130 years the Kharkov bicycle factory develops. The company's branded shops are currently available only in some Ukrainian cities. The cost for Ukrainian users starts from 2400 hryvnia.

The Kharkov bicycle factory is famous for the quality of its products. Prices for Russia at the present stage are formed by private sellers. They can buy a bike at a price of 10 thousand to 45 thousand rubles. The enterprise continues to search for the possibility of expanding the network and opening branded stores on the territory of the Russian Federation.

PE in the factory

In the foreseeable history of HVZ burned twice - in 2009 and in 2017. In March 2009, the fire covered 150 square meters. Meters square, completely burned out one of the shops. The fire occurred in the middle of the working day, there were no injuries. The cause of the dangerous situation was called obsolete electrical wiring. At the same time, the paint shop of the Kharkov Bicycle Plant suffered a state of emergency. The fire was liquidated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine.

The second case of fire occurred on March 30, 2017. On the territory of the plant burned three-story assembly shop. Specialists who came to extinguish, gave the fire a second level of danger. From poisoning with carbon monoxide, one of the residents of Kharkov was injured.

Address

The central office of the company is located at Dizelnaya Street, building 3/5.

The plant in Kharkov is located on Moscow Avenue in building 118.

At the enterprise, except for the basic production, the big assortment ТНП - manual carts, sleds, spare parts for bicycles is issued.

On site you can buy bicycles of the Kharkov bicycle factory: the company store is located next to the main production.