Louis Garneau began his company 31 years ago making custom cycling clothing with his wife in a garage. The Canadian brand now does business all over the world, and has since expanded into all manner of products, from helmets and shoes to complete bikes and accessories. For 2015, Louis Garneau is bringing its bike line in to the US, with the notable point of differentiation being the ability to custom-paint the framesets to match team's kits.
Going through Louis Garneau, a club or a team can buy matching custom helmets, custom clothing and custom bikes with promised delivery for everything in six to seven weeks.
Louis Garneau has been making bikes for 15 years, and the Garneau-Quebecor UCI Continental team are racing on them this year. Although not as sophisticated as Trek's Project One custom paint operation, Garneau claims its custom program, dubbed Dream Factory, to be a bit more accessible, with frame paint prices ranging from US$150 to US$350.
"I'm not a big player, but I bring something new to the market," Garneau told BikeRadar. "No one else is doing custom helmets, clothing and bikes. This is my special sauce."
Louis Garneau recently invested a claimed US$8 million in a new US factory in Vermont, where much of the custom clothing is made. Garneau also has clothing factories in Canada and Mexico.
Company founder Louis Garneau is proud of his children, Edouard, Victoria and William, who are involved in the business
