1973 – The company was employing approx 2,500 workers at five locations.1972 – Stuart Northrup, a former Singer Sewing Machine executive, replaced Frederick Smith as president of Huffman.Huffy Bicycles developed a ten-speed that required the bare minimum of assembly and service. This provided them with an opportunity for up a new market for bike sales. 1970s Saw the introduction of mass merchandise retail chains that stocked large quantities of consumer goods and sold them at discount prices.Domestically, the market for adult bicycles expanded as people began cycling for fitness and using bikes as an alternative to driving. During the 1960’s and early 1970’s, the company continued to steadily grow.1968 – The Huffman Manufacturing Company went public with its listing on the American Stock Exchange.1964 – The Huffman corporate offices were moved to their current location in Miamisburg.The whole division continued to make a loss over the next decade. 1964 – Huffman Manufacturing unsuccessfully expanded its Outdoor Power Equipment division with the acquisition of Diele and McGuire Manufacturing.Smith took over the reigns as president and CEO. 1962 – Horace ‘Huffy’ Huffman, Jr, was appointed chairman of and Frederick C.1960 – Became the third largest bike manufacturer in America.The competition was stiff and Huffmans was struggling. The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was their primary client however in 1938 Huffmans lost the majority of that account because they were unable to keep up with Firestone’s demands. Huffmans started out producing about 12 bicycles per day but as the Depression worsened and more people turned to cycling for their transportation needs that figure rose to nearly 200 a day. In 1924, feeling confident, he set out to establish his own company called the Huffman Manufacturing Company.Īt first Horace manufactured products for service stations and steel bicycle rims, but sensing an opportunity during the Depression in 1934, he switched to making bicycles. Huffman, owner of the Davis Sewing Machine Company (1882 – 1925), and the producer of the first Davis Sewing Machine bicycle and renowned Dayton Special Roadster. Horace Huffman Snr – founder of Huffy Bicycles – learnt the art of manufacturing at his father’s knees.
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