Dah Ken Ind. Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese manufacturer and exporter of RST suspension forks, recently confirmed a report that the company will be producing entry-level Manitou forks for Answer Products of the U.S.

"Although the total amount we will manufacture is still uncertain at this point, we started production of the forks in May," said a spokesperson from Dah Ken. "The project was initiated by Answer Products," she added. The company would not release any extra details, but it is expected that the forks will be used for bikes that will be assembled in Asia.

The move is part of a continuing trend for U.S. makers to shift production of certain parts closer to where the actual bicycle assembly will take place, reducing lead times and increasing assembly efficiency.

Dah Ken was established in 1971 and has approximately 300 employees, with facilities in Hsinchuang, Taipei county.

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