Trek bikes

Trek Bicycle Corporation, founded in 1976 in a small red barn in Waterloo, Wisconsin, has evolved from a boutique hand-built steel frame shop into a global leader in the cycling industry. While the brand maintains deep American roots through its global headquarters and research and development center in Waterloo, its manufacturing footprint is truly international to meet global demand.

Today, the vast majority of Trek bicycle frames are manufactured in specialized facilities in Taiwan, China, and Cambodia. These locations are chosen for their advanced expertise in carbon fiber and aluminum production. However, Trek continues to maintain manufacturing and assembly operations in Germany for the European market and in the United States. Specifically, the high-end "Project One" custom bikes are often painted and assembled in Wisconsin, where the company also conducts its most rigorous engineering and safety testing.

Ownership of the brand has remained remarkably stable throughout its history. Trek is a privately held, family-run business. It was co-founded by Richard (Dick) Burke and Bevil Hogg, and today the Burke family continues to lead the company, with John Burke serving as President and CEO. This private ownership structure has allowed Trek to focus on long-term innovation rather than short-term shareholder returns, fostering a suite of sub-brands like Bontrager for components and Electra for lifestyle bicycles.