OUR HISTORY

From postman to bike specialist. In 1919, the then 16-year-old rural postal worker Heinrich Kalkhoff founds the company we have come to know as Kalkhoff from his parents’ house in Cloppenburg. His idea is simple yet brilliant. Inspired by the many mechanical issues he has to contend with on his round, he soon realises there is a high demand for tyres and other bike parts. Business is good – so good that Kalkhoff even starts to produce entire bikes from 1927. The start of a new era.

Following a short break during the Second World War, bike production picks up again in the 1950s. As cars are rare at the time, there is tremendous demand for transport on two wheels. These are golden years for the company: for a time, 1,200 people are employed at the factory, making up to 5,000 frames a day. Bikes are delivered to 32 different countries, with Kalkhoff's handiwork – made in Germany – even proving competitive in East Asia.

Bikes experience something of a renaissance due to the oil crisis and with people becoming more aware of environmental and health issues. Even Uschi Obermaier, the iconic figure from Germany's counterculture, can be seen riding a Kalkhoff. Cycling is cool, and the keep-fit craze sweeping society gives Kalkhoff another tremendous boost around this time – even after the death of founder Heinrich Kalkhoff on 25 September 1972. He leaves the company in good shape, and it continues to develop strongly in the next few years.

2007 sees Kalkhoff’s first serial-production e-bike leave the factory. This provides further proof of the company’s ability to remain on trend. 2009 marks the 90th anniversary of the brand, with its rich tradition, while Derby Cycle continues to develop apace: Derby Cycle Holding GmbH is now the largest bike manufacturer in Germany in terms of sales. With the brands Kalkhoff, Focus, Raleigh, Univega and Cervélo, Derby Cycle sells almost half a million bikes a year – including over 100,000 e-bikes and pedelecs, making it the leader in this sector within Germany.

In 2012 Derby Cycle GmbH was acquired by the Dutch company PON Holding, making Kalkhoff part of a family-owned business once again. The name of company founder Heinrich Kalkhoff still adorns our e-bikes to this day.

Kalkhoff celebrated its centenary in 2019. 100 years in which we have consistently helped to shape the evolution of the bicycle and the various eras of cycling.

Kalkhoff celebrated the opening of the new site in the district of Cloppenburg. At the heart of the new plant is a state-of-the-art e-bike production facility. Visitors have the opportunity to experience the Kalkhoff brand up close in the Brand World. Here, e-bike enthusiasts can tour the factory, learn more about Kalkhoff's history and try out the latest models on the 1750 metre test track.