About Us:
We are a third generation, family owned business founded in the early 1900s, passing down through the Walker family. We have a wealth of almost 100 years experience in the cycle trade, specialising in the wholesale distribution of cycle parts and accessories. We have a team of sales representatives who regularly call on our loyal customer base of independent bike dealers around the UK.
Supporting our reps are a team of friendly and knowledgeable staff members who are based in our Leicester offices and warehouse. We pride ourselves on our service, always striving to offer an extra degree of personal attention to each order to ensure customer satisfaction.
1935-1970
Our Humble Beginnings
Based in a small premises on Canal Street, South Wigston, Leicester – S.W. Walker’s started life as an electrical wholesaler. Stanley and Evelyn Walker ran the business with their son Mick who started off helping out after school – Mick remembers his Dad travelling to Birmingham with silk stockings to bribe the secretaries with, in exchange for an introduction to the suppliers. As regular stock was really hard to get hold of, wheeling and dealing was the name of the game!
1970-2002
A New Company is Born!
The electrical components made way for motorbike parts and bicycle components were introduced to the mix as this market took off. A new premises was found in Aylestone, Leicester to expand the business and still owned by Mick Walker and his Mum Evelyn it was re-named Walkers Cycle Components. Mick married Carolyn and together they built the business into a national distribution company of bicycle parts and accessories supplying the independent bike shops. Mick’s son Nick joined the company as a Delivery Driver in 1988, later followed by his younger brother Andie in 1997.
2002-2017
Keeping it in the Family!
Mick and Carolyn retired to go and live in sunny Cyprus passing the business now to Nick and Andie and their wives Abi and Sarah. The company expanded, adding to the sales team, and the customer base grew. Our delivery drivers could no longer keep up! We began working with a national courier company offering next day service. We launched our first B2B website to the trade giving us an important online presence.
2017-Today
Still Here!
Nick and Abi now own Walkers joined by their daughter Lucy, as Andie and Sarah move to pastures new. We have our extended family of hard-working staff and together we’re proud to offer a solid service to our loyal customers in independent bike shops around the UK, many of whom have been trading with us for decades. We also welcome our new customers with equal expertise. Our ethos is to look after our customers to the best of our ability offering a good old fashioned customer service supported by an easy and efficient management of each account as well as a superb online service. We are the friendly face of cycling!