Decathlon Produced 50 Million Sporting Goods in 20 Years in Romania

French sporting goods retail giant Decathlon announced that it has reached a significant milestone in the 20th year of its manufacturing operations in Romania. The company stated that over the past twenty years, more than 50 million sporting goods have been produced within the borders of Romania, a figure that proves regional production capacity. Approximately ten million of the aforementioned production consists of bicycles exported to international markets. This great success clearly demonstrates that Romania has become a strategic manufacturing base for Decathlon. Particularly regarding bicycle equipment and accessories, the country has risen to a central position in the company's global supply chain.

According to current data, Decathlon's local production capacity in Romania exceeds 800,000 bicycles per year. A large portion of this massive production volume is carried out at the Timișoara factory, one of the largest bicycle assembly facilities in Southeastern Europe. The modern facility in question maintains an uninterrupted production tempo by preparing thousands of bicycles for the European market every day. Company management emphasizes that these operations in Timișoara set standards in the region not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of production quality. Thus, the facility also functions as the central hub for all of Decathlon's production coordination in Eastern and Central Europe.

Raul Buzgar, Decathlon Romania Manufacturing Country Director, proudly stated that highly complex technical products are successfully manufactured in Romania. He expressed that, together with local industrial partners, a wide range of products can be produced, from new-generation electric bicycles to airbag safety equipment developed for horse riders. Buzgar pledged to continue investing in operational excellence and digitalization in the future. He added that developing the local industrial ecosystem and increasing employment are among the company's priorities. The company's manufacturing vision in Romania aims not only to assemble current products but also to integrate innovative technologies into the region.

The company's manufacturing journey in Romania began in the early 2000s with local textile and footwear partnerships and has undergone a major transformation over the years. Bicycle assembly activities were initiated in 2009 with the opening of the Timișoara production office and gained momentum rapidly. Today, Decathlon manufactures Van Rysel brand road bikes, alongside electric bicycles, in Romania. In addition; technical shoes and safety equipment for outdoor sports such as trekking, climbing, and mountaineering are also produced within the country's partner network. All these production processes are supported by a robust industrial network born from the combination of Romania's quality workforce and strategic location.

Decathlon's production network in Romania is not limited to a single city but is spread over a vast geographical area. Working with production partners in various cities such as Alba Iulia, Iași, Bükreş, and Drobeta-Turnu Severin, alongside Timișoara, the company sends its products to all corners of Europe with the "Made in Romania" label. This year, Timișoara also hosted the EuroMed Partners Forum, bringing together approximately 100 industry representatives from Europe and Africa, creating a platform where sectoral innovations are discussed. In addition to the success of its manufacturing operations, the company, which continues to grow on the retail side, currently serves consumers with 32 stores across Romania, its online platform, and its mobile application. As of 2025, the organization employs approximately 1.600 employees in Romania, contributing steadily to the country's economy.