Hamish,
The good news is there are plenty of Rigida-branded rims still in the supply lines as of October 2011. Even better news is it appears Rigida is still in business, albeit by the different name of "Ryde". All forthcoming rim production by the company will be under the Ryde label, according to a leading European bicycle-industry online source.
A quick search of
http://www.bike-eu.com/news/ search term "Rigida" reveals a timeline of events for the dissolution and evolution of Rigida to Ryde as a company and product name in bicycling.
Briefly, Rigida closed all operations at Rigida France in Noyan as of 25 September 2009, a decicision originating "from the long time difficult bicycle market circumstances, in particularly in France", accoridng to the Executive Board of Rigida International. Rigida stated, “...Last year this situation has once more deteriorated to such an extent that the continuation of Rigida SAS in Noyon is not longer justified...The termination of Rigida France has absolutely no consequences for the other companies of the Rigida Group except from offering their service to the business relation of Rigida France.”
About this time, Rigida sold-off production of its Radaelli subsidiary (motorcycle rims) to Italian firm SRl Metallica.
As of 25 February 2010, Rigida moved production to a region of China known for bicycle manufacture, with the intent of greater production at lesser cost and exploiting the logistical benefits of proximity to be an OEM supplier of wheel goods to bicycle frame-brand manufacturers. According to the Dutch correspondent who wrote the article for bike-eu.com, "The targeted production volumes are impressive; 4.5 million rims coming season which will be rapidly expanded in 2011. Wheelbuilding production with Holland Mechanics machinery for OE customers stands at 400,000 wheelsets annually". Rigida Group CEO Jan Willem Ten Dam indicated the new factory will be the company’s main Asian facility for the next decade and is aimed at volume production and special products with lower series. Rigida Group's new factory will also include its Weinmann subsidiary with capacity for production and space for offices, dormitory and other staff facilities.
As of 25 August 2010, bike-eu.com announced Rigida as a brand would cease to exist, replaced by a new name and presence known as Ryde. Again according to bike-eu.com, "CEO Jan Willem Ten Dam says, 'RYDE is a contemporary brand name with a sleek, modern look. With the RYDE brand name we expect to achieve improved exposure compared to the Rigida name. For all other aspects surrounding our products, we (will) simply continue on the old, successful road and continue to make quality rims with all the knowledge and experience gained in the Rigida period. We will only add passion to it that comes with the use of this more powerful brand.'” From September 2010 onward, each rim will be fitted with the RYDE logo.
This is quite a change for a French company whose name has been linked with bicycle rims for over 80 years. On the face of it, it seems foolish to cast off such a well-recognized name, but I am sure they have researched the matter carefully before taking the plunge and making such a sizable investment in new overseas facilities. I'm guessing for so many Rigida-branded rims to still be in the supply chain as of October 2011, there must have been quite a lot of back-stock due to over-production/poor sales. Perhaps the new Ryde distribution and supply lines will help, as will the Dutch-based wheel assembly business and proximity to Chinese manufacturers for major bicycle brands and OEM fitment. So yes, Rigida as a brand is no more in regards to current rim production, though the rims still continue under the new name of Ryde. Or at least, I suppose so; there hasn't been much industry news of Ryde since the announced name change in the third quarter of 2010.
By the way, 50 year-old Italian firm 3T (sometimes branded as 3TTT and formerly known as Cycli Tecno Tubo Torino) now offer a carbon-fiber fork under the label 'Rigida", no relation to the current Ryde.
Best to all,
Dan.
