Cycling is booming across Europe, both for exercise and as a practical mode of daily transportation. With the rise of e-bikes, commuting by bike is becoming an increasingly attractive option, making distances longer for a normal cyclist and bikes provided by employers a familiar sight. This shift benefits health, the economy, and the planet.
Logivity’s customer Cycleurope, based in Varberg on Sweden’s southwest coast, welcomes this development. With more than 100 years of cycling know-how, Cycleurope is one of Europe’s leading bicycle companies selling and distributing to more than 50 countries. The Nordic region is the largest market, and the company’s portfolio includes strong brands such as Bianchi, Crescent, Monark, Sjösala, DBS and Kildemoes.
Combining tradition with an efficient production facility, Cycleurope creates everyday heroes – helping people choose the bike for a healthier more sustainable lifestyle.
Precision logistics for a global industry
A modern bicycle is more advanced than it looks. Components come from all over the world, requiring assembling and the gentle hand of a bicycle engineer to see the light of day. The Varberg plant has the capacity to build up to 100,000 traditional bicycles annually, and in recent years production has shifted towards electric bikes – something the company sees as the most important focus area of the future, estimating that 60-70% of all bicycles will be powered by electricity in a couple of years.
Henrik Carlstein, Supply Chain Manager at Cycleurope, is responsible for all inbound and outbound logistics. A critical task requiring precision as volumes grow and just-in-time delivery is essential.
– “Most components arrive through the port of Gothenburg before being transported to Varberg for painting, assembly, and testing,” Henrik explains. “Since we rely on parts from around the world, timing and coordination are everything.”
A bicycle consists of many components why transport cost is a significant part of the production cost. In addition, bicycles have become more expensive and tying more capital as they become electric, why logistics efficiency has become a strategic business advantage. Components like batteries require careful handling and strict transport planning since any deviation in the supply chain can be extremely costly.
Automating with Logivity Invoice Matching
Cycleurope’s collaboration with Logivity began when a team member retired – creating an opportunity to transform manual processes into a fully automated and transparent workflow, fully in line with the continuous ambition at Cycleurope to streamline its business. One key tool is the Invoice Matching service.
Here is how the service works:
- Transport orders are imported into Logivity’s system.
- Invoices are automatically matched against booked orders.
- Discrepancies are highlighted, including shipment number, article, weight, volume, and cost.
- Discrepancies can be approved, questioned, or rejected directly within the platform.
- Full integration with the financial system ensures smooth, error-free accounting.
“We have saved time on this service, but also reduced actual costs”
Tangible benefits:
- Cost control & savings: Accurate invoicing has lowered expenses while maintaining transparency.
- Sustainability: CO2 emissions per transport can be monitored, enabling greener choices.
- Data-driven decisions: Systematic tracking of costs and environmental metrics supports smarter decisions.
- Automation: Time previously spent on manual invoice checking is redirected to higher-value tasks, and all accounting postings are automated.
- Process oversight: Logivity ensures transport bookings are as efficient as possible.
Partner collaboration and industry impact
The new, efficient way of working has provided benefits also for Cycleurope partners and carriers.
“The process has been extremely well received,” Henrik notes. “Our partners benefit too. By aligning orders and invoices accurately, we create automation and efficiency across the supply chain, making everyone’s processes more reliable and professional.”
When looking ahead and considering future challenges, Henrik emphasizes the need for proactivity as the logistics landscape remains unpredictable:
“Freight rates are volatile, and geopolitical decisions affect tariffs and pricing. Ensuring component supply and product availability is critical. The pandemic highlighted how vulnerable supply chains can be. Anticipating the next disruption allows us to safeguard production and maintain continuity.”
Cycleurope demonstrates that logistics is not just an operational function – it’s a strategic advantage. By integrating automation, transparency, and sustainability, the company has built a cost-effective, reliable, and forward-looking supply chain. With partners like Logivity, Cycleurope is well-positioned to meet the demands of a growing cycling market and the challenges of tomorrow.
Henrik concludes:
“Logivity helps us work smarter, optimize our flows, and build the capability to grow while anticipating challenges before they arise.”
Credits:
Input, references and images are kindly provided and approved for Logivity use by Cycleurope.