Back in September, we headed to Waldershof in Germany to visit the global headquarters of Cube HQ. We were given unrestricted access to their head office and colossal 430,000 square foot factory where thousands of new Cube bikes are assembled by hand every year.
Global head of sales, Chris Archer guided us through what can only be described as a place of dreams for any cycling enthusiast.
From the very beginnings of the brand to their advanced test lab and production line, we show you the inner workings of Cube and why their bikes are among the best in the world. We also got to meet some pretty incredible people along the way.
Where it all began, Marcus started in the back of his Dad’s chair factory eventually taking it back, out growing it and then giving it back to his Dad.
Fast forward to the present day, Cube’s impressive HQ.
This rule didn’t apply.
Could this be the smartest reception desk you have ever seen?
As you climb the office stairs and get to the top floor it instantly hits you that this is a relaxed place to work!
On arrival we stumbled across some of the team grabbing breakfast. During the summer when shows are over, Cube provide all their staff breakfast. Some (Marc) went back more than others.
One of Cube’s more crazy creations!
An early ladies Cube road bike, just inside the door of the office to remind everyone how far they’ve come.
We love a cow bell! These kinds of images are everywhere!
See what we mean? Even the accounts department gets a dose of cube imagery…
This was probably a serious meeting until we rocked up! This is the e-bike product manager Niko Lindner and marketing manager Thomas Aigner.
Walst the MTB product guy, I’m sure many of you have him to thank for the awesome bike you ride!
Feeling Lucky, Cube is all about fun!
More product development…
More of the product development department…
Here’s a cube frame being designed right in front of our eyes!
Quick coffee stop on the office balcony.
Time to look inside the Cube test lab.
Have you ever wondered how cube test a saddle?
Handle bar stress testing.
More handle bar stress testing.
Hydroforming at its best. How a bog standard piece of aluminium tubing transforms into a beautifully performing top tube. In this particular case from a Cube Stereo.
Lounging areas are everywhere!
Cube really is becoming a global brand; this is their distribution network!
Export manager Marc, the man with the biggest smile in Cube! You’ll see his number plate shortly as well…it’s amazing!
Sebastian Köllner showing the love.
All that was left from the Porsche.
He’s watching.
What’s propping up the bar?
Cube frames of course!
The IT crowd.
Communal shower rooms, how very European!
On the tiles! Cube have really gone to town with the branding at their HQ.
Kicking the tyres. Here’s Andy with one of the high performance Sprinter vans.
A fast car and a cool number plate! Who’s could this be?
Even the big trucks get the personal touch from Cube.
Next we headed over the Cube production facility and warehouse…
Notice something missing? If you’re superstitious you will…
Time to enter the big factory!
Safety first!
Stereo’s waiting for their build.
Every bike is built by hand. Cube had just finished building its new production facility 3 weeks before our arrival.
Smiles in the aisles! The warehouse team love working for Cube and are brilliant at getting parts from A to B in no time. They keep the production line stocked up.
The Cube warehouse is enormous!
A quick look around the warehouse showroom, 2017 product a plenty.
£999 for this beautiful Cube attain SL 2017 road bike or yours for £55 per month with no deposit.
The warehouse canteen.
We can think of worse places to eat lunch.
How many factories do you know of that have a bar? We spent a fair bit of time here.
There is one catch to this bar though…
Some more seating areas.
The best way to round off a fantastic guided tour of Cube’s super factory…Here’s Chris and Andy enjoying a cold local beer and a catch up on the roof top balcony. Cheers!
Photos and words by Matt Treviss & Andy Hargroves.
