corratec to manufacture Simplon bikes in Romania from 2026
Cooperation stands for trust, quality, growth, and securing the future
07.11.2025The Upper Bavarian bicycle manufacturer corratec remains on course for growth: While Simplon is relocating parts of its production to Romania, corratec is using its existing production facility in Timisoara for a collaboration with the Vorarlberg-based company - thereby underlining its role as a reliable partner for high-quality contract manufacturing.
As part of its restructuring, Simplon has decided to have selected models assembled at the corratec factory in Timisoara, Romania, in the future. This production facility has been operated since 2022 by the German parent company iko Sportartikel Handels GmbH, which is owned by Cielo and Konrad Irlbacher. There, corratec successfully produces bicycles for the European premium market – both under its own brand and for selected partner companies such as woom and from 2026 for Simplon for the first time.
Cooperation strengthens European value creation
Contract manufacturing by Simplon in Timisoara will further strengthen European value creation in bicycle production. The site, managed by corratec, will enable Simplon to have its own assembly line with quality control, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2026. The production lines will be operated by experienced corratec teams, who will ensure the company's strict quality and sustainability standards are met.
Strong signal of trust
“We are delighted with the trust Simplon has placed in us with this collaboration,” emphasize Cielo and Konrad Irlbacher, CEOs of corratec. “Our goal is to operate a flexible, modern, and sustainable production site in Europe with Timisoara, which will not only strengthen our brand but also open up new perspectives for other manufacturers.”
Modern manufacturing in Romania
The corratec factory in Timisoara now employs almost 200 skilled workers and is one of the most modern bicycle production facilities in Eastern Europe. It manufactures high-quality e-bikes, gravel bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes for the entire European market. The cooperation with Simplon will further increase capacity utilization at the site. With this partnership, corratec is sending a clear signal: the future of European bicycle production lies in cooperation, continuous quality improvement, and regional responsibility – not in the migration of expertise or jobs.
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