Taiwan's top manufacturer of aluminum frames, the Kinesis Industry Co., expects that its production will grow by about 30% in 2000. Most of the growth will come from the company's China factory, which is responsible for about 80% of Kinesis's total production, company officials said.

The European Commission's negation of the dumping complaint against frames and forks from China and Taiwan has naturally fed Kinesis's optimism, since roughly half of the company's China production is destined for Europe.

By and large, the other half is exported to the US, either directly, or through Taiwan bicycle assemblers who use the frames for their bicycles. At this year's Taipei Cycle Show, Kinesis will debut several models of rear suspension frames, products which will add value in light of the dropping price of aluminum frames. Kinesis only manufactures aluminum frames and expects to produce about 1 million units this year.

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