Atranvelo is ramping up its offering of smart carriers and sturdier kickstands, aligned with demand from urban bicycle and cargo bike makers. Barbara Smit spoke with Ulf Pentéus, Atranvelo’s chief executive.
The Swedish supplier has long specialized in such add-on components, targeting bicycle manufacturers and the aftermarket. Among its customers are Cycleurope, Hartje, Specialized, Romet and other prominent brands. But over the last few years, the range has expanded in response to the increased usage of two-wheeled vehicles instead of cars – meaning they should be able to transport other people and all sorts of items. “We have a very wide range of carriers and kickstands for standard bicycles and e-bikes, but our latest products also fulfill the demand for more heavy-duty hardware,” said Ulf Pentéus, Atranvelo’s chief executive.
Among the latest products is AVS+, a carrier that has been approved for child seats. A lock enables parents to secure the seat with a key. The product is based on the smart AtranVeloSystem, which securely attaches bags, baskets and crates to standard bicycles – all modular and compatible with both front and rear carriers. Another complement to the offering is the Stabile, a double kickstand made for cargo bikes. It’s a sturdy option with a patent-pending locking feature.
Nearly all of Atranvelo’s hardware is made by long-term production partners in China. They turn out about 1.2 million kickstands and 0.5 million carriers per year. Other suppliers make baskets and bags for the aftermarket. Atranvelo offers delivery directly from Asia, and from its own warehouse in southern Sweden. Pentéus said it has just invested to double the size of this facility to about 2,000 square meters. It’s adjacent to the company’s head office in Falkenberg. “Given the market situation, we decided to take the time to carry out projects that set us up for growth in the years ahead,” said Pentéus.
The Swedish warehouse is used to rapidly dispatch products to customers and retailers in Nordic markets and other European countries, which make up the largest share of Atranvelo’s sales. “Many customers appreciate the combination of quality, price, flexible production and quick delivery,” said Pentéus.
Atranvelo has been around since 1937, starting as a small business specializing in the production of bicycle saddles. It was briefly owned by a subsidiary of Monark. When a financial owner opted to close down Atranvelo in 2005, three employees offered to buy the brand name and other assets. Pentéus teamed up with Krister Lindén, in charge of research and development, and Roger Pettersson, who heads up quality control. “We restarted completely from scratch,” said the chief executive.