Triumph-Werke Nürnberg AG
Triumph-Werke Nürnberg AG, commonly known as TWN, was a German bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer based in Nuremberg. German motorcycle brand, originally produced under Triumph license
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Triumph-Werke Nürnberg AG, generally identified by the abbreviation TWN, was a German bicycle and motorcycle company established in Nuremberg in 1896 by Siegfried Bettmann. Bettmann had founded the original Triumph bicycle factory in Coventry, England, in 1886 and later created a second factory in his native Nuremberg. The two businesses initially operated under the Triumph name and developed related manufacturing capabilities, but they increasingly followed separate technical and commercial paths after the early twentieth century. The Nuremberg works entered motorcycle production in 1903, shortly after the Coventry operation began building motorcycles in 1902. In its first period, the German factory produced machines using 499 cc and 545 cc four-stroke engines associated with the wider Triumph manufacturing family. Because motorcycles from the Coventry and Nuremberg companies could be confused with one another, the Nuremberg products were marketed as Orial in some export markets. That name created a further problem because an unrelated motorcycle manufacturer in Lyon, France, was already using Orial. The Nuremberg company therefore adopted the designation TWN, derived from Triumph Werke Nürnberg. Following 1913, TWN developed a more independent product identity. The company became particularly associated with small- and medium-displacement two-stroke motorcycles, including 248 cc and 269 cc designs. Its engineering reputation later centered on split-single engines, a distinctive configuration using a divided cylinder with two bores, a shared combustion chamber, and a single spark plug. The BD250, designed by Otto Reitz, was an early example of the company's split-single approach, with production beginning in 1939. After the Second World War, TWN introduced several notable motorcycles, including the 200 cc Cornet split-single two-stroke and the 350 cc Boss, which used a split-single one-cylinder engine. The company also displayed a technically unusual 250 cc Duplex prototype in 1953. This design used two cylinders and four pistons in a split-single arrangement but was not put into series production. These motorcycles represented the last period of TWN as a significant independent German motorcycle manufacturer. In 1956, the industrialist Max Grundig acquired the Nuremberg company. He merged it with his Adler motorcycle and typewriter business, ending motorcycle production under the Triumph and TWN names. The brand therefore belongs to the historical German motorcycle industry rather than to the later British Triumph motorcycle business or the modern clothing brand using the Triumph name. Surviving TWN motorcycles are mainly encountered through historical collections, specialist literature, and owner clubs.
History
The Nuremberg Triumph enterprise originated in 1896, when Siegfried Bettmann established a bicycle factory in Nuremberg after founding the first Triumph bicycle factory in Coventry ten years earlier. The two factories shared the Triumph name and initially had related product and engineering traditions. Both eventually entered motorcycle manufacturing: Coventry began in 1902, while the Nuremberg works followed in 1903. Early Nuremberg motorcycles included machines powered by 499 cc and 545 cc four-stroke engines, broadly corresponding to engines used by the sister operation in Coventry. This common identity caused confusion in the marketplace, particularly in export trade. To distinguish some Nuremberg products, the factory used the name Orial. Since an independent motorcycle producer in Lyon already operated under that name during the 1920s, the Nuremberg company adopted TWN, an abbreviation of Triumph Werke Nürnberg. The German and British businesses diverged technically after 1913. TWN concentrated increasingly on smaller two-stroke motorcycles, including 248 cc and 269 cc models. Its later engineering identity was shaped by split-single engines. In this design, a divided cylinder contains two bores that share a combustion chamber and spark plug. Otto Reitz's BD250, whose production began in 1939, was an important example of the configuration. The postwar period brought several of TWN's best-known motorcycles. The 200 cc Cornet used a split-single two-stroke engine, while the 350 cc Boss applied the same broad principle to a larger single-cylinder motorcycle. In 1953 the company presented the 250 cc Duplex at a fair. The prototype had two cylinders and four pistons in a split-single arrangement, but the design was not developed into a production model. TWN's independent motorcycle career ended after Max Grundig took over the Nuremberg company in 1956. Grundig merged it with his Adler motorcycle and typewriter business, and motorcycle production under the Triumph and TWN names was terminated. The company is now principally of interest as a historical German motorcycle manufacturer. Its legacy survives in preserved motorcycles, specialist historical references, and enthusiast organizations rather than in an active commercial brand.
- 1956
Grundig takeover and end of motorcycle production
[1]Max Grundig acquired the Nuremberg company, merged it with his Adler motorcycle and typewriter business, and ended motorcycle production under the Triumph and TWN names.
- 1953
Duplex prototype displayed
[1]TWN showed a 250 cc Duplex split-single prototype with two cylinders and four pistons, but the model was not put into production.
- 1939
BD250 split-single enters production
[1]Production began for the BD250, a split-single motorcycle designed by Otto Reitz.
- 1920
Adoption of the TWN identity
[1]After the Orial name created confusion with an existing French motorcycle maker, the Nuremberg products became associated with TWN, meaning Triumph Werke Nürnberg.
- 1913
Technical divergence from the Coventry company
[1]The German and British Triumph factories increasingly pursued separate engineering and product directions.
- 1903
Nuremberg motorcycle production begins
[1]The Nuremberg Triumph works expanded from bicycles into motorcycle manufacturing.
- 1896
Nuremberg bicycle factory established
[1]Bettmann founded a second bicycle factory in Nuremberg, Germany, under the Triumph name.
- 1886
Triumph bicycle factory founded in Coventry
[1]Siegfried Bettmann founded the original Triumph bicycle factory in Coventry, England, establishing the industrial and brand background from which the Nuremberg operation later developed.
Products and positioning
A historic German motorcycle manufacturer known especially for compact two-stroke motorcycles and distinctive split-single engine technology.
Motorcycle · 1939
TWN BD250
The BD250 was a 250 cc motorcycle associated with TWN's split-single engineering program. Designed by Otto Reitz, it used a divided-cylinder arrangement in which two bores shared one combustion chamber and spark plug. Production began in 1939, making the model an important prewar example of the technical approach for which the Nuremberg company later became known.
Motorcycle
TWN Cornet
The Cornet was a postwar 200 cc two-stroke motorcycle and one of TWN's notable commercial models. It used the company's split-single engine concept, reflecting the brand's emphasis on unconventional but compact two-stroke engineering during the reconstruction era after the Second World War.
Motorcycle
TWN Boss
The Boss was a postwar 350 cc motorcycle built around a split-single one-cylinder engine. It represented TWN's attempt to extend its distinctive engine architecture into a larger-displacement motorcycle and is among the company's better-known surviving historical models.
Motorcycle prototype · 1953
TWN Duplex
The Duplex was a 250 cc prototype presented by TWN in 1953. Its unusual design used two cylinders and four pistons in a split-single configuration. Despite its technical interest, the Duplex remained a show or development prototype and was not manufactured as a regular production motorcycle.
Controversies
2009
Layoffs in Thailand and the Philippines
Large-scale layoffs prompted protests from trade unions across countries. Triumph expressed regret and attributed the reductions to the global financial crisis; claims that a replacement Thai site was being established concurrently were reported as unfounded.
2008
Thai union-president dismissal
Triumph dismissed a Thai local-union president after she appeared on television wearing a politically controversial message. A labor union petition collected approximately 2,500 signatures, while a Bangkok labor court later upheld the dismissal.
2003
French advertising regulator criticizes sloggi campaign
A French advertising self-regulatory body criticized a sloggi billboard campaign featuring scantily dressed women, while the company retained the campaign.
2003
French criticism of sloggi advertising
A French advertising self-regulatory body and public figures criticized a sloggi campaign for allegedly undermining women’s dignity and negatively affecting the public image of advertising.
2002
Triumph closes Myanmar factory after public criticism
The company announced the closure of its Myanmar factory after labor and human-rights groups criticized its rental relationship with land associated with the country’s military regime.
2002
Myanmar factory controversy
The Berne Declaration and Clean Clothes Campaign criticized Triumph’s rental of land connected to Myanmar’s military regime. Triumph closed the factory after failing to find a buyer and said its employees had not included forced laborers.
Brand decisions
1956
Grundig acquisition and integration with AdlerM&ABackground
The Nuremberg motorcycle manufacturer faced the structural pressures affecting smaller European motorcycle companies in the postwar market.
Action taken
Max Grundig took over the company and merged it with his Adler motorcycle and typewriter business.
Aftermath
Motorcycle production under the Triumph and TWN names ended, bringing the company's independent motorcycle manufacturing history to a close.
1920
Adoption of TWN brandingStrategyBackground
The Nuremberg company's use of Triumph created confusion with motorcycles from the Coventry factory, while the alternative Orial name overlapped with an existing French motorcycle maker.
Action taken
The Nuremberg operation adopted the TWN designation, derived from Triumph Werke Nürnberg, for clearer product identification.
Aftermath
TWN became the principal historical identifier for the German company and distinguishes it from the separate British Triumph motorcycle business.
Recent events
Reported
FreedomRoad Financial sponsors Triumph's Daytona 200 effort[3]
FreedomRoad Financial said it would sponsor Triumph's effort at the upcoming Daytona 200 on March 12.
Reported
Triumph announces 270 co-branded limited-edition motorcycles[4]
As part of its collaboration with Breitling, Triumph said it was launching 270 co-branded Triumph Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition motorcycles.
Reported
Breitling and Triumph announce a collaboration[5]
Breitling announced a collaboration with motorcycle company Triumph, featuring co-branded watches and motorcycles.
Reported
Breitling introduces the Top Time Triumph watch[5]
Breitling introduced the Top Time Triumph, a 41mm chronograph watch with an ice-blue dial, created as part of its collaboration with Triumph.
Reported
Triumph unveils TE-1 electric motorcycle prototype[6]
Triumph displayed the TE-1 electric motorcycle prototype during its development, which the article says had entered the third phase.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Triumph unveils Bonneville Gold Line Editions[7]
Triumph unveiled a range of eight Bonneville Gold Line Editions featuring hand-painted gold-line designs. The editions are described as available for one year only.
Reported
Triumph relaunches 2021 Bonneville Bobber as a BS6 model in India[8]
Triumph relaunched the 2021 Bonneville Bobber as a BS6 model in India. The model includes updates such as a new LED DRL and revised engine covers.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Triumph discontinues five Bonneville-family models in India[9]
Triumph India stopped offering the Thruxton R, Bonneville Bobber, Speed Twin, Street Scrambler and Scrambler 1200 XC in India, with the article citing lack of interest in niche products and dwindling sales.
- Unconfirmed
Triumph launches its first e-bike[10]
Triumph released its first e-bike, the aluminum-frame Triumph Trekker GT. The article says it will initially be available through Triumph dealers in Europe, the UK and the U.S., but gives no availability date.
Reported
Triumph announces winter sales offers[11]
Triumph announced winter offers on almost its entire motorcycle range, including accessory bundles, complimentary riding experiences and other purchase incentives. Most offers run through March 31, 2020; the private registration plate offer runs through February 29, 2020.
Sources16 sources
- 1Triumph-Werke Nürnberg AGen.wikipedia.org
- 2Layoffs in Thailand and the Philippinesen.wikipedia.org
- 3FreedomRoad Financial 赞助 Triumph 的 Daytona 200 赛事计划prnewswire.com
- 4凯旋宣布推出270辆联名限量版摩托车menshealth.com
- 5Breitling与Triumph宣布合作esquire.com
- 6凯旋展示TE-1电动摩托车原型车setn.com
- 7Triumph推出Bonneville Gold Line特别版deccanherald.com
- 8Triumph 在印度重新推出符合 BS6 标准的 2021 款 Bonneville Bobberautocarindia.com
- 9凯旋在印度停售五款 Bonneville 系列车型zigwheels.com
- 10Triumph推出首款电动自行车bicycleretailer.com
- 11Triumph推出冬季促销优惠visordown.com
- 12凯旋Thruxton RS首次正式亮相timesnownews.com
- 13Triumph launches all-new Trident 660 model in India, priced at Rs 6.95 lakheconomictimes.indiatimes.com
- 14Triumph launches new Speed Triple 1200 RS at Rs 16.95 lakh; only 30 bikes for sale - BusinessTodaybusinesstoday.in
- 15Triumph launches Speed Triple 1200 RS with 1,160cc triple engine at Rs 16.95 lakheconomictimes.indiatimes.com
- 16Triumph launches Street Scrambler 900 Sandstorm, Scrambler 1200 Steve McQueen Editionindiatoday.in
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