Terry Precision Cycling relocates to Burlington

Former Vermont Teddy Bear CEO Liz Robert will be moving her newly acquired company, Terry Precision Cycling, to Burlington. Robert’s new company will bring 12 jobs and lease 10,500 square feet of commercial space. The move will bring most of Terry’s operation to the Queen City between December 26, 2009 and January 3, 2010. The Rochester, NY, based company, founded by Georgena Terry in 1985, specializes in bicycles for women and is a leading direct marketer of women’s cycling apparel and accessories.
Moving Terry to Burlington “had been my hope all along,” said Robert. “…Burlington is a ‘brand’ for the genesis of creative companies - Ben & Jerry’s, VT Teddy Bear, Phish - and because it's got the bike path, and because we want Terry, with its element of style and fashion applied to cycling apparel, to leverage the ‘commuter’ positioning in the cycling market.
"Our offices will be at 47 Maple Street (the first floor of the JDK building). and our warehouse will be at 7 Ambrose Place off of Home Avenue - both locations right on the path - we can ride our bikes back and forth to the warehouse!”
With a focus on re-energizing Terry’s innovative position in the cycling market and an intense commitment to the State of Vermont, Robert has already partnered with a number of local businesses. For product design and development, brand strategy, and overall creative development, Terry has partnered with Burlington’s JDK Design. It has engaged Timberline Interactive in Middlebury for Web development.
And Terry works with Burlington law firm Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, as well as South Burlington accounting group Grippin, Donlan & Roche. NBT Bank, now in Burlington, is the Company’s new senior lender. As Robert integrates Terry into the local business network, she plans to use her extensive experience in branding, direct-marketing, and product development and manufacturing to grow Terry Precision Cycles in Vermont.
“I’m pleased to welcome Terry Precision Cycles to Burlington,” said Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss. “I especially appreciate that they chose Burlington. We have a vibrant recreational culture, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and a track record of encouraging bicycle use and bike safety. I look forward to Terry Precision Cycles doing business here and being part of our exceptional business community.”
“I first heard about Liz’s new company almost a year ago, at a Digital Bridges Entrepreneur’s Forum at Middlebury College,” said Bruce Seifer, CEDO’s Assistant Director for Economic Development. “Our Office has been in regular contact with them since. We have provided assistance with their commercial space search, we wrote a letter of recommendation for their successful VEGI [Vermont Employment Growth Incentive] grant application, and we are hoping to work with them on the financing. They will employ twelve people upon arrival, with more coming on the following year, and leasing 10,500 square feet of commercial space. That’s substantial, and we look forward to working with them.”
“We are excited to have them,” said Jon Adams-Kollitz, Economic Development Specialist with CEDO. “There is a growing cluster of bicycle and human-powered transport businesses in Burlington, and Terry will be a welcome addition. They are already a well-established national player, and with Liz at the helm, there is tremendous potential for growth. They chose Burlington for its livability and bike-friendliness. They know this will enhance their brand image and help them attract talented and creative employees. In turn, CEDO realizes attracting and retaining companies like Terry (and Burton, Seventh Generation, Ice Factor, to name just a few) is good for the Burlington brand. Terry will be a welcome member of the business and biking communities in the City.”
Source: CEDO. 12.16.2009.