I try to do my own research and focus on bicycles in Canada. However my research strays into European and United States of America(USA) topics and companies.

Recently have I found old information on Arnold, Schwinn & Company.

Arnold, Schwinn & Co. was a somewhat unique company in the bicycle industry for several reasons.

First, the company was privately owned. From 1907 to 1992 it was owned and managed by members of the Schwinn family. I can think of only two other privately held bicycle companies that survived for an extended period: Chain Bicycle Corp. or Ross Bikes and Cycles Peugeot in France.

Second, was the determination of Ignacz Schwinn and his son Frank V. Schwinn to succeed in the bicycle business. The Schwinn family was focused almost entirely on bicycles. There were motorcycles from 1911 to 1931 but that appears to have been run separately from the bicycles and the Schwinn Bicycle Company also made stationary exercise bicycles. (In the 1950s, other USA bicycle manufacturers also made many other metal products like lawn mowers and wheelbarrows. Not Schwinn.)

Third, Arnold, Schwinn & Co. developed a unique marketing and distribution system. By the 1960s their system was different from all the other bicycle companies in the USA.

The determination, focus, lack of distraction of shareholders, the lack of distraction with concerns outside the bicycle industry, all helped create the success and longevity of Arnold, Schwinn and Company.

More Arnold, Schwinn & Company posts to follow.