The Brompton

Engineering for Change

By: William Butler-Adams, Dan Davies

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Lightweight, compact, distinctively styled, and now, electric: The Brompton isn't the only folding bicycle—or even the first. But everyone who has been on one will enthusiastically testify to its marvelous design (virtually unchanged over decades) and the particular joy of riding it.

Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycles, has been at the company for twenty years. Initially, he worked as an engineer for Andrew Ritchie, the bike's brilliant inventor and the business's founder, before taking the helm in 2008. Butler-Adams's heartfelt mission is to grow and promote sustainable urban transportation and to improve city-dwellers' lives everywhere.

Under his leadership, Brompton has grown from making a few hundred bikes a year to over 90,000, with revenue of $130 million. But progress hasn't always been easy: There have been boardroom struggles, supply-chain problems, and conflicts with founder Andrew Ritchie. In The Brompton, Butler-Adams brings to life what it means to grow a company to global scale. He also tells the stories of the people who make the Brompton and the people who ride it. And he explains how customers all around the world fell in love with a brand that never set out to be a brand.

©2022 Will Butler-Adams and Dan Davies (P)2023 Tantor

Hard to say which I like better—The Bike or the Company

This was such a great book! I love the way that stories were told in an interesting and engaging format. I enjoyed hearing about the challenges struggles. quandaries and successes they endured.

I found their focus on engineering and keeping manufacturing as a key asset to their success very inspiring.

I really enjoy riding my Brompton bike around town, but I'll enjoy it even more knowing where it came from.

Love it!

Not the Author reading & standard issue Audible production. This title delivers a 10/10 hardcover production. It comes w a nice bookmark. For 10/10 Audible production please do listen to Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell. -Rebellion Roads 2♾️ & beyond.