The demand for premium electric bikes from the pioneering FLYER brand has risen steadily in recent years. Although additional premises have been rented at the current production site in Kirchberg on an ongoing basis, the possibilities are now fully exhausted. In 2007, Biketec produced around ten times as many FLYERs as 6 years ago. FLYER has established itself as the European leader in terms of product range and quality, with 50% of production already being exported to Germany and the Netherlands. Domestic sales are also growing strongly and with a market share of around 75%, FLYER is also the leader on the domestic market. In this country, FLYER is now synonymous with electric bikes par excellence - even competitor products are dubbed "electric flyers" by consumers.

Like a phoenix from the ashes...
Biketec AG was founded in 2001 by a team led by the current Managing Director Kurt Schär (42). The two co-owners Hans Furrer and Gianni Mazzeo, both active in the company, complement the management team with their specific knowledge. Hans Furrer was responsible for Villiger products for many years, while Gianni Mazzeo was also active in the bicycle industry as Managing Director of luggage rack manufacturer Pletscher.

The takeover of the estate of the former BKTech AG, which was unable to succeed despite well-known investors, formed the basis. "We have done one thing differently above all: we have transformed the engineering approach to product development into a market approach," says Managing Director Kurt Schär. "The best product can only be marketed if it also meets a corresponding market need."

"With the launch of the legendary FLYER C-Series in 2003, Biketec achieved a major success, which is considered a pioneering development in the industry due to its drive and battery technology," continues Schär. Biketec AG has been in the black since it was founded, and the profits have been consistently invested in the expansion of tourism rental projects (now 24 projects in Switzerland and abroad) and the expansion of production. The activities, which primarily took place in the tourism sector, have contributed greatly to the awareness and spread of electric bikes among the population.While just over a dozen employees worked at Biketec 3 years ago, there were already more than 30 jobs available in 2007, and in 2008 more than 40 employees will be manufacturing customized FLYERs. In order to meet the demand, Biketec is currently looking for several assembly employees, of course also from the Emmental - Oberaargau region. Sales are handled by a Europe-wide dealer network of over 500 trained specialist dealers, known as "FLYER Centers".Conscious location decision for the Emmental
The decision on the location was made with the tourism activities of Biketec AG in mind. The company's future headquarters in Huttwil is located on the "Herzroute", one of the most popular cycling and hiking routes in Switzerland. Biketec is thus returning to the place of origin of the FLYER and will be right in the middle of its customers' "testing grounds".

Thanks to the active support of Pro Emmental, the local community of Huttwil and the support of the Economic Development Agency of the Canton of Bern, the decision was made in favor of Huttwil. Numerous customers are already visiting the current plant to take a test ride and choose their ideal model. A showroom will also be set up at the new site, where the entire model range can be evaluated. This will bring numerous visitors to Huttwil.

A new era in the Swiss bicycle industry?
After the niche of electric bikes was ridiculed for years, the FLYER has now established itself on the market. Thanks to a consistent focus on this area, a high level of innovation and customer-specific solutions, Biketec intends to maintain its position as market leader in the long term. Experts are even predicting a second boom phase for the electric bike sector, similar to that experienced in the mountain bike sector in the 1980s and 1990s. FLYER is preparing for this with its investment in Huttwil in order to be ready for the future.

Facts & Figures:
Foundation: 6.12.2001
Type of company: public limited company
Share capital: CHF 170,000
Owners: Kurt Schär, Hans Furrer, Gianni Mazzeo, Dr. Peter Isler
Sales figures: approx. 8,000 units (2007), approx. 13,000 units (2008, planned)
Export share: over 50%
Main markets: CH, DE, NL