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Quality made in Germany

Your idea becomes reality in our manufactory. Each bike is created step by step according to your wishes - with a passion for detail, maximum precision and certified quality. So your bike is not just manufactured, but made for you.

Your vision becomes reality

You put together your own customised bike - from the frame shape to the equipment.

Colour that stays

Our in-house powder coating gives your frame the look that suits you perfectly - durable and brilliant.

Built with heart

Our specialists assemble every bike with experience, precision and passion.

Tested & certified

Strict quality controls and our ISO certifications (ISO 9001 & ISO 14001) guarantee the highest standards - for you and the environment.

Our history

From a small warehouse in Altenberge to an international bicycle manufacturer: VELO DE VILLE has been on the move for almost 60 years. What has always accompanied us: the passion for bicycles and the people who make up VELO DE VILLE.

Our history

In 1966, Albert Thiemann founded a company "for the purpose of distributing two-wheelers and technical articles". A lot has happened since then. The wholesale of bicycles and spare parts has become an international bicycle manufacturer. Steady growth and specialisation in customised production have made VELO DE VILLE a successful company throughout Germany and Europe. The basic values of humanity, uniqueness and diversity have always been maintained and continue to characterise the company's actions to this day.

1966

The beginnings

Albert Thiemann founds a small company in Altenberge together with Franz Ferlmann. With two traded-in cars as starting capital, a rented warehouse and bicycles imported from the Netherlands, the journey begins. Despite difficult market conditions, the foundation stone of VELO DE VILLE is laid.

1970s

First growth

The business grows: the first large warehouse is built in 1972, the oil crisis causes the first bicycle boom in 1973 and the company expands again in 1975. In 1978, Albert Thiemann restarted the business and clearly focussed on customer proximity and reliability.

1980s

From dealer to manufacturer

A new era begins in 1982 with the move to Boschstraße: bicycles are no longer just traded, but customised. Different frame heights, colours and details form the beginning of the later custom-made principle - individuality becomes the DNA of VELO DE VILLE.

1990s

New generation, new ideas

Volker Thiemann joins the management team in 1992. The first in-house frame, the "UNA", is created in the mid-90s - the starting signal for in-house developments. In 1998, the company's own powder-coating plant follows, making even more flexible and colourful designs possible.

2001

Active nationwide

With the takeover of a competitor's sales activities, VELO DE VILLE has a nationwide presence for the first time - a decisive milestone for growth.

The beginnings

In1966, automobile motorisation was in full swing. There were already more than 25 bicycle wholesalers operating in and around Münster - not exactly the best conditions for successfully entering the bicycle business. The support for the project was correspondingly limited. Nevertheless, Albert Thiemann took the plunge into self-employment together with Franz Ferlmann. "The business is to serve the purpose of selling two-wheelers and technical articles", according to the partnership agreement, which only took up one page.

The two private cars, which were exchanged for a delivery van, served as start-up capital. A small building in Altenberge was rented as a warehouse.

The main focus of the business was the import of bicycles from the Netherlands. By today's standards, these were sold very locally in and around Münster to specialised dealers.

The first growth

At the beginning of the 1970s, the capacities at the site were no longer sufficient due to the growing business. The company therefore invested in a larger building and built a new 1000m2 warehouse in 1972.

The oil crisis and car-free Sundays in 1973 led to the first small "bicycle boom". We were sold out for the first time! Favoured by the boom, the building was extended by a further 400m2 in 1975.

Restarting the chain

In 1978, Albert Thiemann left the joint venture and had to start again from scratch. Within a few weeks, he founded the company "Albert Thiemann Fahrradgroßhandel". The old warehouse was rented again as the company premises. Thanks to the existing contacts with customers and suppliers, business was resumed with great success. Very quickly, additional storage capacity had to be rented in neighbouring towns.

2006

Farewell to Albert Thiemann

On 24 June 2006, we had to bid farewell to Albert Thiemann. His pioneering spirit, his humanity and his values characterise the company to this day.

2009

The first e-bike

With the E40 model, VELO DE VILLE launches its first own pedelec on the market. One year later, the first brochure exclusively for e-bikes follows - and with it the start of a new era of mobility.

2010s

New mobility, new home

Exports to other European countries begin in 2010. In 2015, the company moves to Steinkuhle in Altenberge: modern production facilities, more space and a clear commitment to sustainability.

2020

Growth & diversity

A rapidly growing team with over 300 employees from more than 20 nations characterises this time. Diversity, quality and a passion for bicycles are guiding the way. With Alain Thiemann, son of founder Albert Thiemann, another family member joins the management team.

2024

The next generation

Moritz Thiemann, son of Volker Thiemann and grandson of the founder, has been part of the management team since 1 July 2024. This means that all three of today's managing directors started their work on the management board at the age of 28 - a strong sign of trust in the younger generation and their ideas.

From dealer to manufacturer - the custom-made principle

In 1980, Albert Thiemann decided to purchase a large plot of land on Boschstraße in Altenberge and erect a large building, which he moved into in 1982. At that time, it was the firm conviction that the property offered sufficient expansion reserves for the next 50 years. It didn't turn out to be 50 years, but the site was our home for 33 years. Even more important than the construction of the new building and the foresighted acquisition of the land was a strategic decision, which in retrospect was of decisive importance for the company's development: the decision to start assembling bicycles.

Customised production has been at the forefront since the beginning.

In particular, offering bicycles in different frame heights to suit every body size was a novelty at the time. At the first in-house exhibition, we presented a bike with an RH45 and one with an RH70 next to each other to show our uniqueness.

Different frame heights, many frame colours, different colours of mudguards and brake cables were the beginning of our Custom Made principle. Since then, Custom Made has been part of our company's DNA.

The family business

In1987, the existing building was extended by ##########. The bicycle retail business, which had been a mainstay of the company since its foundation, was now given its own premises.

In the same year, AT Zweirad Handels GmbH was founded by Albert Thiemann and Edith Beglet-Thiemann with a share capital of 75.000 DM, taking over the business of Albert Thiemann Fahrradgroßhandel.

At the end of the 1980s, we began purchasing essential components such as bicycle frames. For this purpose, we co-operated with the company Recker from Meckenheim. This company also had its own bicycle assembly facility, but the sales territories did not overlap. While the Recker company was mainly active south of Bonn, we expanded our territory from Münsterland to the entire northern German region north of Cologne at the beginning of the 1980s.

The second generation

In1992 , Volker Thiemann joined AT Zweirad Handels GmbH as a shareholder and managing director following a capital increase. At the same time, the company was renamed AT Zweirad GmbH.


The first own bicycle frame

Inthe mid-90s, we developed our first "own" bicycle frame, the "UNA". The first single-tube frame on the market, the mother of all city bikes, so to speak. The UNA frame was quickly copied and at the next IFMA, a major competitor also presented a single-tube bike - significantly under the name "UNO".

The variety of colours

To increase the flexibility of our customised production, we decided to set up our own powder coating facility in 1998. For this purpose, a further 1.000m2 was added to the existing building. We were also able to supply our partner companies Recker, Strauch and Kirsch with freshly painted frames. The powder coating plant is the second strategic milestone in the company's history. It also documents to the outside world that we have changed from a wholesale company to a bicycle manufacturer and has given us the opportunity to react very quickly to changes in the market.

The merger

In 2001, the owner of Recker retired from the company for reasons of age. In this context, we took over the company's sales activities. This was the first time we were active nationwide. This was another very important milestone in the company's development.

In the following years, we consistently invested in the expansion of our flexible production.

Saying goodbye

##########_0__.2006 was an unusual day. On this day, founder Albert Thiemann entered his company at the Boschstraße site for the last time. On 24.06.2006 we had to say goodbye to him for good. We owe a great deal to his pioneering spirit, his knowledge, his humanity and his psychology. We learnt from him that the company and the people behind it are at the centre of everything we do, and the following generations will continue to run the company in this spirit.

New mobility

Back in 2009 , we presented our first pedelec, the E40, the forerunner of our "CEB 400" series. The following year, we dedicated a separate brochure to the pedelec. Even then, we offered pedelecs for the city, trekking and sports segments with the E20, E40 and E80 series.

Pedelecs were to develop into a growth driver for our company over the next few years.

Our European neighbours

In2010, we began supplying neighbouring European countries. The first countries were France and Belgium. The development of further export markets was consistently continued in the following years.

It was already clear at this point that further growth at the Boschstrasse site was only possible to a very limited extent. The decision was therefore made to no longer expand at the existing site, but to construct a new building on a greenfield site. This should further secure the development of the company.

New home

In January 2015, the entire business was relocated to a new building at Steinkuhle 2 in Altenberge. The new buildings now cover a total area of around _8.800m². As part of the relocation, the company also invested in a new powder coating facility, two new assembly lines, a new impeller production line and new storage technology.

The first steps in the new environment were somewhat bumpy and caused sleepless nights for everyone involved. Nevertheless, the teething troubles were overcome after a few weeks and production has been continuously optimised ever since.

In the meantime, the relocation has crystallised as another important milestone in the company's history.

The company today - investing in the future

In 2020, Alain Thiemann becomes the third generation to manage the company. He takes over the position of managing director and shareholder from Edith Beglet-Thiemann, who joins the company's advisory board.

2020 saw the construction of a further production building with an area of ########## square metres and the expansion of the office space by approx. 600 m². The buildings now cover a total area of 14.200m². At the same time, investments were made in a new production facility to sustainably increase capacity and assembly efficiency. The new building extension went into full operation in summer 2021 and is one of the most modern production facilities in Europe.

Our family business has grown continuously in recent years and now employs over 300 people. We are a multicultural company made up of over 20 different nationalities, more than 10% of our team are people with disabilities who are firmly integrated into our day-to-day work and are part of our success. We are deeply convinced that this diversity will determine our path into the future and our success.

Our expertise has enabled us to constantly optimise quality and develop new models, functions and designs. A passion for bicycles and commitment to our work are the cornerstones for the continued success of our company.

New generation - new challenges

Moritz Thiemann, son of Volker Thiemann and grandson of Albert Thiemann, joined VELO DE VILLE as the new Managing Director in 2024. With his arrival, the management team has increased to three heads in order to meet the further challenges and the size of the company. Fun fact: all three current managing directors started at the age of 28. This emphasises the confidence in the young generation and their ability to lead the company into the future with fresh ideas and proven values.

"Erfolg lässt sich an betriebswirtschaftlichen Ergebnissen messen. Für uns ist Erfolg mehr als das. Die wesentliche Errungenschaft unserer Firma liegt in den Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern. Sie sind ihr größtes Kapital. Ihre jahrelange Treue, ihr enormer Teamgedanke und ihre Leidenschaft haben VELO DE VILLE zu dem Unternehmen gemacht, welches es heute ist."
Albert Thiemann Gründer von VELO DE VILLE

Our values - passion that moves

At VELO DE VILLE, every bike is an original - handmade in Germany, customised to your wishes. For us, custom-made means: top quality, proximity to the product and sustainable, resource-conscious production without overproduction.

Unique. Individual. Diverse.

You don't just ride any e-bike, you ride yours - with personality and style.

Quality out of conviction.

Precise craftsmanship and selected components from Germany are our promise - for long-lasting, reliable mobility.

Sustainable right from the start.

We only produce what is ordered - no overproduction, no waste. This is how we conserve resources and the environment.

Responsibility that connects.

Respect, humanity and diversity are more than words: with around 10% of our employees in inclusion teams, we demonstrate what real responsibility means.

Unique. Individual. Diverse.

We believe you shouldn't ride just any bike, but yours. That's why our customers take centre stage right from the start.

Quality by conviction

Precise craftsmanship and selected components from Germany are our promise - for long-lasting, reliable mobility.

Sustainable right from the start

We only produce what is ordered - no overproduction, no waste. This is how we conserve resources and the environment.

Responsibility that connects

Respect, humanity and diversity are more than words: with around 10% of our employees in inclusion teams, we demonstrate what real responsibility means.

Working together at eye level

We always treat customers, partners and employees with respect, compassion and humanity. Every relationship should bring added value to both sides. Diversity is a strength for us - discrimination has no place at VELO DE VILLE.

Unique. Customised.

We believe you shouldn't ride just any bike, but yours. That's why our customers take centre stage right from the start.

Quality by conviction

Precise craftsmanship and selected components from Germany are our promise - for long-lasting, reliable mobility.

Sustainable right from the start

We only produce what is ordered - no overproduction, no waste. This is how we conserve resources and the environment.

Responsibility that connects

Respect, humanity and diversity are more than words: with around 10% of our employees in inclusion teams, we demonstrate what real responsibility means.

Working together at eye level

We always treat customers, partners and employees with respect, compassion and humanity. Every relationship should bring added value to both sides. Diversity is a strength for us - discrimination has no place at VELO DE VILLE.

Sustainability at VELO DE VILLE

We think mobility further - environmentally conscious, responsible and future-orientated. In our sustainability blog, we show how we combine quality, individuality and sustainability and what contribution we are making to a better future.

To the sustainability blog

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