Bridging Design & Manufacturing: How Leeche International Transforms Technical Challenges into Manufacturing Solutions

Ever wondered what are the keys to have to bring a groundbreaking design to life? Over cups of oolong tea and Madeleines at our Taichung headquarters, we sat down with Leeche and Joe from Leeche International - our trusted partners of over 30 years. As technical experts who've been bridging brands and manufacturers since day one, they share insights that could transform how you work with your suppliers. If you're curious about working more efficiently with your manufacturing partners, you're in for a treat.

From right to left: Agnes from ORA, Joe and Leeche from Leeche International

Introducing Leeche International

ORA: "Thank you so much for coming! It's our honor to have you here with us. I personally know Leeche and Joe for many years but some of our readers might not know you. Can you introduce yourself and tell us how Leeche started?"

Leeche reflects: "I started in the bicycle industry in a bike company doing sales for bike frames. After 8 years there, a German company came to me to establish a joint venture in Taiwan. Later, it evolved into what is now Leeche International, fully owned by my wife and me. From the beginning, our role was comprehensive - from product development to supply chain management and consolidated shipping. It wasn't just about sales - we were providing complete supply chain management solutions."

ORA: "What about Joe? I know we are probably around similar ages. How did you decide to join the family business?"

Joe smiles: "It was really about timing and opportunity. In 2013, after completing my Finance degree in Canada, the company needed additional business capacity. After discussing the potential for growth and development with my father, I joined as a junior sales representative."

ORA: "Coming from a finance background into technical sales must have been quite a transition."

Joe: "Actually, it was fascinating. When I joined, we were already established as that critical bridge between brands and manufacturers. Our team's strong technical expertise made the learning process engaging - from engineering drawings to complex components. The real challenge came with the QBP transition."

ORA: "Right, I know QBP was your biggest client at the time. How did you manage such a significant business transformation?"

Joe: "That happened within my fourth year. We essentially had to redefine our operational model. During the QBP era, we functioned more like a branch office, handling R&D, legal matters, and supply chain management. After 2014-2015, we had to rebuild our approach to customer management and trading operations from the ground up."

Leeche adds: "In bicycle manufacturing, changing just one component or supplier can mean a completely different manufacturing process. After the transition, I am confident our strength lies in understanding these complexities and finding solutions where others see obstacles."

Breaking Through Technical Barriers: The Fat Bike Story

ORA: "Speaking of obstacles, I'd love to hear about the Surly Pugsley fat bike project*."

*Note: For those unfamiliar, the world's first mass produced fat tire bike design by Surly was made possible through Leche and Leeche International team's innovation.

Leeche's eyes light up: "That project really showed our problem-solving approach. When an American designer came to us with the concept of combining two mountain bike rims to create an ultra-wide rim in order to mount a large 3.8" tire - every major tire manufacturer had declined, saying it couldn't be done."

"But we approached it differently. We studied the entire bike tire making process and realized the challenge wasn't in the mold design - it was in the forming machine capabilities. Through our industry network, we connected with someone who had experience with ATV tire manufacturing and the necessary forming equipment. QBP partnered with us to invest in specialized forming machines - a several hundred thousand dollar commitment. This gave us and QBP a two to three-year market advantage in the fat bike segment."

Managing Cross-Cultural Technical Communication

ORA: "At ORA, we have partners around the world so we understand the difficulty of cross-cultural communication. How do you handle cultural differences in business relationships?"

Joe smiles: "You got me on this questions. It’s not easy…In my opinion, it varies significantly by market. With English-speaking clients, communication flows naturally. But with some European markets, we've learned that each requires a different approach. It's not just about language; it's about understanding business cultures. For example, some markets prefer detailed written specifications, while others value face-to-face discussions for technical details."

Leeche adds: "The key is respect for expertise on both sides. When clients understand manufacturing constraints and we understand design intentions, we find creative solutions together. Sometimes a small modification can make something significantly easier to manufacture while maintaining its core functionality. This mutual understanding has helped us build long-term partnerships across different cultures."

ORA: "What are the keys to handle cross-cultural projects in your experience?"

"Having studied in Canada,, I understand both cultures' perspectives," Joe shares. "One common misconception we often encounter is that production timelines can be accelerated simply by paying more. In bicycle manufacturing, each component change can mean a completely different manufacturing process - from tooling modifications to quality control adjustments. Our role is often to help clients understand these industry realities while finding ways to meet their needs."

ORA: "Ha! It sounds like you have some experience handling those situations. Speaking of challenges, how did Leeche navigate through the COVID-19 challenges? What happened at the time?"

"The pandemic created an interesting paradox," Joe explains. "We saw explosive growth in 2021-2022, particularly because cycling became increasingly popular worldwide. But this surge came with its own challenges. Supply chains were strained, and lead times extended significantly. One key lesson we learned was the importance of having clear cancellation policies with suppliers. This helped both us and our clients manage inventory risks better, especially when dealing with uncertainties. "

Future-Proofing Manufacturing Tips

ORA: "Looking ahead to 2025, particularly with the US election coming up, what changes do you see in manufacturing strategy?"

"We're seeing a clear shift in new product manufacturing toward Vietnam," Leeche notes. "However, it's crucial to understand that choosing manufacturing locations isn't just about country selection - it's about finding the right manufacturing partner with the right capabilities."

"For high-end products, especially in steel frames, Taiwan still maintains a significant advantage in terms of quality and technical expertise," Joe adds. "While Vietnam is developing rapidly, they're currently better positioned for carbon and aluminum products."

ORA: "I completely agree with you. Do you have a piece of advice to give to our audience when they want to develop new products?"

Joe shares thoughtfully: "Involve your engineering partners early. The most successful projects we've seen are those where we can contribute our manufacturing expertise during the design phase. This approach often leads to better solutions and faster development cycles."

Strategic Insights for Brand Success

Drawing from decades of manufacturing experience and cross-cultural partnerships, Leeche's team shares three key factors for brands looking to succeed in today's dynamic manufacturing landscape:

• Get Personal

As Leeche puts it: "In Asian business culture, meeting face-to-face builds trust that no email chain can match." While virtual communication works for daily operations, visiting your manufacturing partners in person builds a personal relationship that goes far and beyond a transactional relationship.

• Start Early

"You can't rush perfection," Joe emphasizes. Each component change triggers a cascade of manufacturing adjustments. Success comes from understanding and respecting these technical realities rather than trying to force shortcuts. "The earlier you involve your manufacturing partner in the development process, the more value they can add," Joe notes.

• Find Your Match

The most successful collaborations come from finding manufacturers whose capabilities and vision align with your brand's needs. As Leeche says, "It's not just about price or location - it's about finding the right partner for your specific requirements."

Looking Forward Together

We hope you find this interview helpful! These conversations remind us why we love being part of the bicycle industry. Leeche International's commitment to technical excellence and problem-solving shows the kind of partnerships that drive innovation in our industry.

Got an ambitious design project? Want to learn more about how to succeed with your manufacturer? Reach out to Joe Yang at joe@leechesports.com or skype: joeyang761020 - he's always up for a good manufacturing challenge and might just help turn your "impossible" into reality.