AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Yesterday, Pon Bike finalized the acquisition of Urban Arrow. This Amsterdam based Dutch electric cargo bike brand has seen fierce growth in recent years; even to such extent that the company’s 5,000 euro costing ‘Family’ urban electric kids transporter has become a familiar phenomenon in cities in an outside the Netherlands.
Urban Arrow is currently active in 20 countries. The company that has a staff of about 60 people at its HQ and production facility in Amsterdam, is “One of the fastest-growing manufacturers of electric cargo bikes in the world.” This is claimed by Pon Bike in an earlier today issued press release. Pon Bike is a part of Pon Holdings, the largest mobility group in The Netherlands. Pon Bike is a top-five player on the global bicycle market with international top brands such as Cervélo, Kalkhoff, Santa Cruz, Focus and Royal Dutch Gazelle. The company also owns other innovative concepts such as Swapfiets and Lease-A-Bike.
Last-mile mobility solutions
Urban Arrow produces electric cargo bikes for both consumers as well as the commercial market. In the commercial market, the company focuses on so-called last-mile mobility solutions and supplies bicycles for companies like DHL, UPS as well as Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn. By concentrating on enterprises that deliver thousands of packages throughout the city each day, Urban Arrow wants to be an active contributor to a greener and more livable urban environment.
Financial details
Urban Arrow was founded in Amsterdam by Jorrit Kreek and Gerald van Weel 10 years ago. Pon Bike doesn’t want to present any financial details on the Urban Arrow take-over or on the company. But this company strongly resembles that other Dutch e-cargo specialist named Velosophy which launched the Babboe brand also some 10 years ago. Like Urban Arrow Babboe is aiming to make cargo bikes available for young families. Velosophy BV was taken over by Accell Group in July 2018.
The Dutch holding said that Velosophy recorded a 2017 turnover of some 18 million euro.
Operations continue in Amsterdam
Urban Arrow will continue to operate from its location in Amsterdam, under the leadership of its founders. The company has a strong position in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, but is also growing steadily in North America.
The acquisition of Urban Arrow is aligned with Pon Bike’s goal to keep the city accessible. According to Pon Bike, electricity is creating more opportunities for the bike than ever before. “Urban Arrow is tapping into these possibilities with a range of different types of cargo bikes. The company is a perfect addition to our portfolio of premium bicycle brands and sustainable concepts,” says Marc Bakker, CEO of Pon Bike.
Pon’s sustainability ambitions
Urban Arrow will operate independently within Pon Bike, with the brand being further expanded both within the Netherlands and internationally. Company founder Jorrit Kreek “Now that we have Pon Bike as a strong partner, we can continue to innovate and use our smart urban mobility solutions to make a contribution to the city of the future.” Gerald van Weel adds “The demand for our products has been overwhelming since the beginning. Our products perfectly respond to the challenges in cities across the globe and therefore fulfill a strong market demand. Thanks to the mobility solutions and sustainability ambitions of Pon, we can now grow even faster.”
