Last German bicycle helmet maker KED to move production to China

German bicycle helmet manufacturer KED is set to move its entire production to China by the end of 2026, marking the end of domestic helmet manufacturing for the company. This strategic shift comes after significant investments, totaling over 3 million euros in the last two and a half years at its Freiberg am Neckar facility, failed to make local production economically viable.

According to KED's leadership, exploding raw material and labor costs, combined with persistent consumer purchasing hesitancy and an unfavorable political and economic environment, have rendered continued domestic production unsustainable. The company has opted to partner with manufacturers that already supply global market leaders in the helmet industry.

Despite the production relocation, KED emphasized that its headquarters, development, sales, and all non-production teams will remain firmly anchored in Germany. The company also assured that all KED helmets will continue to be developed according to EN 1078 standards and undergo approval by the German quality assurance team, maintaining its commitment to German quality standards.