Bell Motorsport Helmet - Severe Delivery Delays?
Discussion
Not sure if this belongs in GG, feel free to move if not - perhaps UK Club Motorsport?
I do t k ow if anyone else has experienced the same issue as me, but just a heads up if you want to order a Bell Motorspoett helmet for racing and track use.
I ordered a Bell GP3 Carbon back at the end of January, from Demon Tweeks.
DT emailed me to say that there would be a delay on about a month, not long after I placed the order.
At the end of February DT emailed again, to give a updated delivery date of 15/04/2016.
Since then every month an update email has come out, with a updated delivery date which seems to always be the next month.
I called DT back in April, and whilst they had to apologise, explained there was nothing they could do, as the problem was due to an issue with Bells production facilities in the US and Europe.
I have also been speaking to other distributors in the UK, and a major US distributor as well, who recently explained to me that they are now advising that customers cancel any orders for Bell products, and switch to another helmet company.
That US distributor, has told me that they expect no deliveries of the Helmets that are on back order before the end of 2016.
Here's is the official statement from Bell :-
https://www.bellracing.com/bell-helmets-news/bell-...
I was wondering what people thought of this situation, as to me it seems totally unacceptable for a major manufacturer to have such severe delays,,and I wondered if the situation is possible due to a more worrying issue with Bell as a company, perhaps due to financial difficulties?
The list of helmets in the range that are delayed is below, it seems that more than 70% of the range is in severe production backlog.
K.1 Pro – May 16th (In Production)
KC7 CMR – May 16th (In Production)
Sport – May 16th (In Production)
BR.1 – May 23rd (In Production)
Dominator.2 – May 23rd (In Production)
GP.3 Carbon – May 23rd (In Production)
GT5 – May 23rd (In Production)
Vador – May 23rd (In Production)
KC7 CMR (Graphic) – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 – June 20th (In Production May)
GTX.3 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
Sport EV – June 20th (In Production May)
GP.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
GTX.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
K.1 Pro Circuit – July 18th (In Production June)
Sport Edge – July 18th (In Production June)
GP.2 Youth – August 15th (In Production July)
Despite the above, Demon Tweeks are now advising my order will be delivered in October, it I fully expect that to also be pushed back.
Anyone else effected by this situation at all? If so what would you do?
I do t k ow if anyone else has experienced the same issue as me, but just a heads up if you want to order a Bell Motorspoett helmet for racing and track use.
I ordered a Bell GP3 Carbon back at the end of January, from Demon Tweeks.
DT emailed me to say that there would be a delay on about a month, not long after I placed the order.
At the end of February DT emailed again, to give a updated delivery date of 15/04/2016.
Since then every month an update email has come out, with a updated delivery date which seems to always be the next month.
I called DT back in April, and whilst they had to apologise, explained there was nothing they could do, as the problem was due to an issue with Bells production facilities in the US and Europe.
I have also been speaking to other distributors in the UK, and a major US distributor as well, who recently explained to me that they are now advising that customers cancel any orders for Bell products, and switch to another helmet company.
That US distributor, has told me that they expect no deliveries of the Helmets that are on back order before the end of 2016.
Here's is the official statement from Bell :-
https://www.bellracing.com/bell-helmets-news/bell-...
I was wondering what people thought of this situation, as to me it seems totally unacceptable for a major manufacturer to have such severe delays,,and I wondered if the situation is possible due to a more worrying issue with Bell as a company, perhaps due to financial difficulties?
The list of helmets in the range that are delayed is below, it seems that more than 70% of the range is in severe production backlog.
K.1 Pro – May 16th (In Production)
KC7 CMR – May 16th (In Production)
Sport – May 16th (In Production)
BR.1 – May 23rd (In Production)
Dominator.2 – May 23rd (In Production)
GP.3 Carbon – May 23rd (In Production)
GT5 – May 23rd (In Production)
Vador – May 23rd (In Production)
KC7 CMR (Graphic) – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 – June 20th (In Production May)
GTX.3 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
Sport EV – June 20th (In Production May)
GP.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
GTX.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
K.1 Pro Circuit – July 18th (In Production June)
Sport Edge – July 18th (In Production June)
GP.2 Youth – August 15th (In Production July)
Despite the above, Demon Tweeks are now advising my order will be delivered in October, it I fully expect that to also be pushed back.
Anyone else effected by this situation at all? If so what would you do?
Sadly it looks like I might have to do just as you suggest guys, and go for another brand.
It's a same though as I have always been loyal to the Bell brand,,and been happy with the products too.
I'm convinced that the issue they have is with the switch to manufacturing in Bahrain, not sure who ever thought that would be a good idea.
Having worked on many very large scale projects in the Middle East, I have experienced just how long things seem to take in that part of the world, decisions are made by over complicated committes and very few people have any power to make things happen any faster.
I do wonder why on earth such a highly successful company as Bell Racing,,with all of their global success and recognition, would make such a short sighted business decision to move manufacturing to another continent, instead of their own country.
It's a same though as I have always been loyal to the Bell brand,,and been happy with the products too.
I'm convinced that the issue they have is with the switch to manufacturing in Bahrain, not sure who ever thought that would be a good idea.
Having worked on many very large scale projects in the Middle East, I have experienced just how long things seem to take in that part of the world, decisions are made by over complicated committes and very few people have any power to make things happen any faster.
I do wonder why on earth such a highly successful company as Bell Racing,,with all of their global success and recognition, would make such a short sighted business decision to move manufacturing to another continent, instead of their own country.
I got so fed up that I paid up front for this, and no official update from bell helmets themselves, I tweeted them directly tonight.
I got an instant response, saying how sorry they were and they would look into it for me.
Seems public shaming gets results, I would be surprised if I was the only one, 9 months to deliver an off the shelf product is shockingly poor service.
I suspect that bell racing are seriously embarrassed by the issues with the switch of manufacturing to Bahrain, a decision I believe that they will have to reverse now!
I got an instant response, saying how sorry they were and they would look into it for me.
Seems public shaming gets results, I would be surprised if I was the only one, 9 months to deliver an off the shelf product is shockingly poor service.
I suspect that bell racing are seriously embarrassed by the issues with the switch of manufacturing to Bahrain, a decision I believe that they will have to reverse now!
I too don't have an Arai shaped head, hence why i prefer the fit and feel of the Bell Racing Helmets.
However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
This article makes for interesting reading too.
It is a press release regarding the decision to move manufacturing to Bahrain.
http://www.bellhelmets.eu/news/2015/03/20/bell-mov...
In Martine Kindt Cohen's own words:-
" there has been a bit of a delay in the building, and a bit of a delay in everything to be honest! "
This article was published in March 2015, it's almost beyond belief that any company can make such a monumental change in manufacture and supply, and then take 15 months to get back on track!
It is a press release regarding the decision to move manufacturing to Bahrain.
http://www.bellhelmets.eu/news/2015/03/20/bell-mov...
In Martine Kindt Cohen's own words:-
" there has been a bit of a delay in the building, and a bit of a delay in everything to be honest! "
This article was published in March 2015, it's almost beyond belief that any company can make such a monumental change in manufacture and supply, and then take 15 months to get back on track!
CoolHands said:
Can't see why you are bothering. It's obvious you're not going to get what you want ie a carbon helmet. Who cares about the reason? Maybe they don't pay their bills and have supply problems; or maybe the carbon fibre enclaves don't work if they moved to another country. Just buy another brand there are many others out there.
I suspect you are bang on with the issues re manufacture of the Carbon Helmets.I would love to be a fly on the wall at the factory in Bahrain, one can only imagine a scene of thousands of carbon helmets fresh out of the autoclave, but full of manufacturing flaws and destined to be crushed and destroyed!
foxsasha said:
I got this from Bell Europe:
"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
Yep as someone else said, I don't have an Arai shaped head either!"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
Whenever someone says " We are doing our best to catch up" it always makes me think of this!
https://youtu.be/qD5GtohtRYU
ardm17 said:
Just to stick my thruppence in here.
It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
I would have to agree that it seems a very stupid and short sighted decision by Bell senior management, at what is a critical change over period during the Snell standard change.It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
Speaking to Demon Tweeks again, it seems that have been telling all customers to switch their outstanding orders for Bell product to any other manufacturer, as they believe the problem with supply of bell is only going to get worse.
The rep is poke to seemed to be implying that DT might not be a vendor of Bell for much longer, which is not a shock really as no company can keep taking orders for products and failing to supply them after 8 months!!
Seems we will all have to work on another helmet brand that can fit us, and cancel out bell orders.
What a very very sad state for a company of such high profile to allow themselves to get to.
I thought I should give an update on this situation.
At the start of November, I chased Demon Tweeks again, but the only info DT could let me have re delivery, was that it was looking like January would be when deliveries would commence.
I was not happy that this was a vaugue answer, so decided to email Kyle Keitzman the CEO of Bell Helmet in the US directly to get the truth from the horses mouth somto speak.
To my surprise I got a personal response from Mr Kietzman the same day, although he did state that the person to contact was Stephan Kindt, based at Bell Helmet Europe, and copied him on email.
Now I had forgotten that my email also has my mobile number in the signature, and was very supervised to get a personal call directly the next day from Mr Kindt, who I then discover is actually the Managing Director of Bell Europe.
We had a good chat, and covered the background to my order etc with DT, and to my pleasure and surprise he had all the details of my specific order and where it stands in the supply chain.
Of course Mr Kindt was very apologetic re the delays for my helmet and the other hundreds also on back order.
The outcome of the conversation was that I should expect to get delivery of my helmet before the end of the year.
So not great news, and 11 months from order for such a product is quite frankly diabalocal for such a major company,,but I felt as i have waited this long I might as well wait a little longer.
And my thanks again for the personal attention from both Mr Keiztman and Mr Kindt too.
At the start of November, I chased Demon Tweeks again, but the only info DT could let me have re delivery, was that it was looking like January would be when deliveries would commence.
I was not happy that this was a vaugue answer, so decided to email Kyle Keitzman the CEO of Bell Helmet in the US directly to get the truth from the horses mouth somto speak.
To my surprise I got a personal response from Mr Kietzman the same day, although he did state that the person to contact was Stephan Kindt, based at Bell Helmet Europe, and copied him on email.
Now I had forgotten that my email also has my mobile number in the signature, and was very supervised to get a personal call directly the next day from Mr Kindt, who I then discover is actually the Managing Director of Bell Europe.
We had a good chat, and covered the background to my order etc with DT, and to my pleasure and surprise he had all the details of my specific order and where it stands in the supply chain.
Of course Mr Kindt was very apologetic re the delays for my helmet and the other hundreds also on back order.
The outcome of the conversation was that I should expect to get delivery of my helmet before the end of the year.
So not great news, and 11 months from order for such a product is quite frankly diabalocal for such a major company,,but I felt as i have waited this long I might as well wait a little longer.
And my thanks again for the personal attention from both Mr Keiztman and Mr Kindt too.
CraigyMc said:
A surprisingly positive outcome...
I wonder when they'll get back to normal.
Yes it's nice to know that old school communications work when you need them too!I wonder when they'll get back to normal.
It's also surprising how many people I have told about it in a positive light over the past week, as I was very happy to speak to Stephan in person.
Naturally they are embarrassed about the situation, and the delays with shipments, but not all are down to them, on my series of helmet, despite being anncouced at the start of the year, they were not actually homologated until June/July and then the production delays added the further time to manaufcature.
I don't need mine now as the track day and racing events are over for winter, so as long as it comes in the next two months it's all good.
foxsasha said:
Ooh, good news. I've run with my old helmet all year as I was waiting for a Bell. Time to get my order in.
Check with certain suppliers, for example Merlin Motorsport have current stock of the Bell RS7 as some models are shipping faster re the homolgation issues I mentioned above.And another update today, I had an email and then a call from Demon Tweeks today so they now have stock, but only against original orders such as mine.
They were as embarrassed about the delays as I'm sure the Bell guys are, and offered to overnight it tonight for Saturday delivery for me.
So all being well it should turn up tommorw at home.
The slight fly in the ointment is that for the 2017 helmets, which mine now is are sized in individual 1 cm increments.
Not an issue, but I had ordered based on my previous bell helmet, which was size large and actually a 61cm equivalent size in metric.
They helmet they are sending me is only a size 60cm, so I am hoping it's going to be ok, not a problem to change it as Demon Tweeks will arrange for collection, but the other helmets are now not due until some time in the new year!
Let's hope it fits me then!
They were as embarrassed about the delays as I'm sure the Bell guys are, and offered to overnight it tonight for Saturday delivery for me.
So all being well it should turn up tommorw at home.
The slight fly in the ointment is that for the 2017 helmets, which mine now is are sized in individual 1 cm increments.
Not an issue, but I had ordered based on my previous bell helmet, which was size large and actually a 61cm equivalent size in metric.
They helmet they are sending me is only a size 60cm, so I am hoping it's going to be ok, not a problem to change it as Demon Tweeks will arrange for collection, but the other helmets are now not due until some time in the new year!
Let's hope it fits me then!
CoolHands said:
Glad it turned up for you. I didn't think it would work out. I hope BELL can sort their act out. I noticed Nico Rosberg wears a BELL helmet.
Thanks I was beginning to think I might never see it too.In my business of Speciallist Management software, if you don't ship your latest version on time you die and your competitors win all of you install base of customers.
But Bell seem to have weathered the production difficulty storm and have moved on.
As you say, Hamilton, Rosberg, and Raikonen all wear the lartest and greatest bell Motorsport helmets as do many other leading teams too.
Happy I got mine, but still stunned by the lead times!
Small Car said:
You are one of the most patient people in the world...
I bought a Stilo earlier this year and was told the XL (or was it the XXL) had a factory order requirement. I am impatient so got the size smaller. I regret it!
Bell should have given this to you for free. Pretty s
tty treatment.
It's called getting old I'm afraid, as I get older I just don't let things like this bother me anymore.I bought a Stilo earlier this year and was told the XL (or was it the XXL) had a factory order requirement. I am impatient so got the size smaller. I regret it!
Bell should have given this to you for free. Pretty s
tty treatment. I did look at a Stilo as an alternative, but really wanted that Bell Carbon GP3 , as I fell in love with the looks.
As far as sizing is concerned this seems spot on,,so I am well happy.
I don't think anyone would ever give a plane old punter like me anything for free, but your right I bet they have a ready supply of new carbon helmets for all the F1 teams!
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