citkar with Transgourmet and investor Rumford Partners ahead of large-scale production

Marvin Bosse (left), project manager logistics at Transgourmet and citkar CEO Jonas Kremer (right) handing over to the drivers on the factory premises in Hanover.

The Berlin mobility startup citkar, whose four-wheeled cargo bike Loadster went into a first pilot series last summer, is now getting ready to get started with new partners. The second financing round with Rumford Partners GmbH was concluded in September, with which citkar is positioning itself for the future. At the same time, the cooperation with Transgourmet was expanded. Strengthened by the new network, citkar is now preparing the large-scale series for 2020.

Berlin/Hanover, November 25, 2019 – “With citkar we were able to win a partner who has developed an absolutely top product in the field of urban mobility with the Loadster”, Quirin Graf Adelmann from Rumford Partners explains. With the investment one wants to enable citkar a future-proof and professional structure. This includes its own production facility, the expansion of the portfolio and deepening the anchorage in the debates about urban mobility. At the same time, Rumford Partners GmbH replaces the previous investor, Tec Ventures GmbH.

With Transgourmet, the market leader in bulk consumer delivery services in Germany, citkar has been able to deepen its cooperation and is further expanding its Loadster cooperation. citkar and the food supplier, which is known in Germany under its brands Selgros and REWE Group and which belong to the German-Swiss holding of the Coop Group, have been working closely together since 2018. Transgourmet analysed the market for cargo bikes and has been using two Loadsters in Munich for over a year. More Loadsters are now to follow in Hanover. There are also plans to shift suitable transport routes in many larger cities to the cycle path, as enormous time savings and cost savings can be achieved here.

citkar’s CEO Jonas Kremer, strengthened with the new partners, sees himself confirmed: “From the beginning we consciously rely on feedback from customers and are very much oriented towards the requirements of the market during development.” That Transgourmet relies on the Loadster and receives important feedback in the areas of ​​service and maintenance is highly motivating. The resulting experience is used directly for further development and other services. Together with Rumford Partners, the decision was made to start mass production of the Loadster in Berlin for the market launch in spring 2020. As before, this will be done together with the Berlin VfJ workshops for people with disabilities.

The sales start of the Loadster was originally planned for the fourth quarter of 2019. The reason for the delay is, among other things, delivery bottlenecks at the suppliers. “For quality reasons, we rely on high-quality components that are used in the motorcycle and automotive industries,” explains CEO Jonas Kremer. Many suppliers are under pressure – not least because of the diesel affair since they have to adapt their range to the new requirements of the manufacturers. This resulted in delivery problems that also affect citkar. citkar uses the time gained in this way to integrate further developments that were not previously intended for the first Loadster series.

citkar will announce further details in the coming weeks. There is already a comprehensive offer for test phases. “Many companies want to experience the Loadster in their daily business, with their employees and processes,” says Kremer. citkar will be happy to organise a test period for this, which includes the delivery and collection of the Loadster as well as the service. You can apply now on the Loadster website!