High-end bicycle company relocates headquarters to Bentonville

HIA Velo, the parent company of high-end bicycle brand Allied Cycle Works, has relocated its headquarters from Little Rock to Bentonville.

Sam Pickman, who was promoted from director of product and engineering to CEO in February, said the company’s sales, marketing and business development operations have all moved to a building at 401 S.E. D St. There are five employees in Bentonville, including Pickman. The company’s manufacturing and factory operations are still in Little Rock.

“It’s a lot easier to attract talent here in Northwest Arkansas,” said Pickman, a New England native who spent 11 years in the San Francisco area and two years in Little Rock before coming to NWA last summer. “There’s a lot of energy and attention around cycling in this area that I’ve never seen before. It’s really an exciting time in Northwest Arkansas for the cycling business.”

Pickman said there are several owners/investors behind Allied, including Tony Karklins, who helped start the business in 2016 but is no longer with the business. Other stakeholders, Pickman said, are co-founder Doug Zell, a “family fund” operated by Springdale-based George’s Inc. and RZC Investments, an investment platform founded by Walmart heirs Steuart and Tom Walton.

Allied designs, engineers and manufactures high-performance carbon fiber bicycles that sell from $5,000 to nearly $6,000. The product line includes three bicycles — two specifically for the road and one for off-road — with a fourth on the way. The company does have stock model offerings, but personalized bicycles are an added benefit, Pickman said.

Pickman said the company produced its first bike in December 2016 and sells about 1,000 units per year, the majority through independent dealers and retailers.

Allied has planned a grand opening event and “gravel ride” for June 15.