Sciopero alla Bianchi

Dear Fringuelli, today I have to give you a bad news, but a news that is perfectly placed in the socio-economic context in which we are living and I speak only for the moment of the cycling sector, that is, in the Bergamasco factory of Bianchi what last year was under the eyes of La Cronaca for the huge investment of 40 million euros which brought back a part of the production in Italy. Well, right in that factory, on the day of October 25, the workers crossed their arms for an hour and a half. Why? Because they came to know, through the company's communication, of the will on the part of Bianchi to fire about twenty of their colleagues, a part in administration, a part in production. And if this decision is carried out, not even the 30 subcontracts will be renewed. So a really delicate situation for the workers of Bianchi, to which all my solidarity goes. I strongly hope that the matter can be resolved and that they can be reintegrated or find ways, let's say, to manage this state of crisis that can please both the property and the employees. In short, let's hope that everything is resolved in the best of cases. What happens in Bianchi, however, is not a serene lightning bolt, because there are also other organizations in the world, such as British Cycling, which are in serious trouble. British Cycling, for example, is the United Kingdom Cycling Federation, which has also decided to send members of its staff home, because there is little work, there are many less registered, sponsorships no longer arrive as once, and therefore, in that case, the well-being, unfortunately, is given to the workers. So, what is happening in Bianchi is nothing new, especially in this context. What is the context in which cycling and production houses are located? Well, it is a very difficult context, we have said it in the last videos, and probably they fall right on the brink. There is a generalized crisis in the cycling sector, which must take into account many factors. We have already said many of them in the previous videos, but there are also factors that, let's say, I did not want to put under the eye of the reflectors. The first, in absolute, is the competition of the eastern markets. If you go to read many of the comments under my videos, when I talk about too expensive bicycles, there is always an outraged group of cyclists in Italy, who says, we have stopped buying Italian bicycles because they cost too much. So we cannot afford them. And instead of buying a lower-end bicycle, compared to our expectations, because that bicycle costs too much, we go to buy a frame made, perhaps, in China. And this is a problem for Italian production. Another problem that the production of the great brands, must surely face, is also the fact that there is, but this is my feeling, tell me if it is true or not, a kind of sign, where the great brands, which are very few, the great international brands, I'm not talking about local or national brands, international brands that sell bicycles all over the world, seem to have deliberately decided, or in an unconscious way, or in a conscious way, to make a real race to the rise of high-end bicycles. In short, in many parts of the world, in many markets where it sells white, but also other manufacturers, the purchasing power of consumers is eroding. And when the purchasing power erodes, goods to do sports, to have fun, like bicycles, are put in the background, because attention must be paid to other goods of primary importance. So there is a cataclysm that is happening in the world of bicycles. There is no longer that huge wave of sales, triggered by the pandemic. All that pandemic mood of taking care of us, costing what it costs, now seems to have passed. And so no one does sports anymore, no one makes more impulsive purchases, as they did during the pandemic. It is returning to normal. I have said it in several videos, but what happens? That some manufacturers of bicycles, just as they were not able to perceive what was happening during the pandemic, that is, this rush to purchase, probably they are not even realizing that the market in the last two years has fallen sharply. So let's say that some managers perhaps lack a bit of foresight. Understanding what was happening during the pandemic was certainly impossible. But it could be understood that that bubble would soon deflate. And so it was necessary to act on time. Some manufacturers like Bianchi have moved production from eastern countries to Italy. And this is certainly a merit, a lot of hats off to Bianchi and to those like Bianchi who made this choice. But it was not a choice made for, let's say, love of homeland. It was made because having a production delocalized in the other part of the world, with other rules, with other health principles and so on, is very fragile. And in fact, a pandemic was needed to block all the production of bicycles, of components, which many manufacturers had decided to delocalize in China. So to avoid the blockage of the production chain, which in those countries has cost practically the slowdown of supplies in Europe, in short, in the West, these manufacturers have decided to make large investments in the countries, let's say, of origin, bringing back production. In fact, Bianchi, I said it at the beginning of this video, was under the spotlight precisely because he had the courage to bring back production in Italy with an investment, with the new establishment of 40 million euros. However, if the market two years ago was at its peak and therefore also allowed to risk with these large investments, today the market is returning to pre-pandemic levels. This requires a careful analysis of the market, a careful analysis of resources. Consider that many warehouses are still full and this also leads to producers producing less, since we still have to sell the 2021 and 2022 stocks. So, as you can see, it is not a stable situation yet, it is a situation that could, in the medium or short term, change again. It is certain that those who had to, let's say, predict the market's trend, either did it, and I'm sorry to say it, on the skin of the workers, or did not do it and found themselves in front of the wall of the end of this purchase race. Anyway, friends, we'll see what happens. Now Bianchi, the company, will talk to the union representatives of each company and they will find an agreement. I hope that the agreement does not discontent the workers, who in this case are the weakest part. In short, let's try to find a balance. If you want, I invite you here. I know that I don't count a damn thing, but if you want, I'll help you for the little I can do. But here, those who produce must consider that the market has changed. And we must always be careful when we make predictions in the medium term. In the long term, we don't talk about it. As Keynes said, in the long term we are all dead. But in the medium term, we must always be careful because the market, especially for bicycles, which is a very particular good, is very desirable. It's very, let's say, random. Ok, friends, let me know what you think. This is obviously my point of view. Let's talk about it, let's discuss it below. Let's try to find a common point of view. And, as always, I'll see you in the next video. Ciao, fringuelli!