Electric motorcycle distributor to open Hamilton HQ early 2024

FTN Motion has surpassed $1 million in its crowdfunding raise, which will see it open new headquarters in Hamilton early next year.

High demand from investors has seen FTN easily meet its minimum target of $1 million with three days to go, the Equitise campaign running until midnight Thursday November 2. 

FTN says the funds will help it scale in a new phase as it prepares to compete globally and export to Australia at the end of 2024 and to European markets.

Moving manufacturing and FTN’s head office to Hamilton helps keep its operations onshore, says FTN Motion co-chief executive and founder Luke Sinclair.   

“By the end of 2023, we will have more than 160 motorcycles on the road,” he says.

“Now that we’ve successfully launched the Streetdog, we’re entering a new phase as we prepare to scale.

“Efficiencies across manufacturing and supply chains are absolutely crucial to our success. To achieve this – and compete globally – we have to give ourselves every advantage possible.”

Sinclair says a bigger HQ was initially sought in Wellington and further afield.

The Hamilton workshop is new, purpose-built, and significantly more economical than other options, Sinclair explains.

FTN Motion credits Wellington for helping shape the company and it will retain a presence there, including Streedog servicing, as well as key roles like software engineering.

Hamilton is close to major ports, which FTN says is important as it gets ready to export.

“Moving our assembly operations to Hamilton will allow us to streamline our local painting, powder coating, fabrication and laser cutting requirements for either production or R&D,” Sinclair explains.

“We will also be within an hour of more than 70%of our current customer base – the efficiencies gained by being closer to the majority of our customers is huge. It reduces the cost of deliveries, servicing, running events, test rides and road shows.”

Sinclair and FTN Motion general manager Michel Roncara recently introduced the Streetdog to Melbourne and Sydney consumers.

The company will launch across the Tasman towards the end of 2024 and says its Australian wait list is growing quickly.

Click here for more information on FTN Motion.