Elke is sustainability and production specialist at Urban Iki and plays a key role in everything that happens after a design comes to life. She is involved daily in sourcing, production and assembly, making sure every child bike seat is produced efficiently, with high quality and in a responsible way.
Urban Iki products are assembled in the Netherlands, at the company’s own facility in Nijverdal. This conscious choice gives the team full control over quality and the entire process. Together with the assembly team, Elke works with short lines of communication to respond quickly and continuously improve.
She also works closely with Japanese colleagues from the parent company OGK to further optimize processes. They bring more than 90 years of experience in technology and production, while Urban Iki adds deep knowledge of the market and user. This collaboration creates a strong foundation and ongoing development.
“You don’t just look at what works now, but also at what makes sense for the future.”
From production to delivery, everything has to be right
Elke oversees the entire chain, from sourcing to delivery. Together with the team, she ensures products are available on time and that the market is well served. This requires smart decisions and continuous alignment.
In her work, she collaborates closely with Ralph, who is responsible for product and materials. While he focuses on what is made and which materials are used, Elke ensures everything is produced, delivered and optimized in the right way. This collaboration makes sure ideas are not only well designed, but also well executed.
She also works closely with the assembly team, warehouse and transport partners to organize processes as efficiently as possible. This includes optimizing trailer loads, combining shipments and avoiding unnecessary costs and waste.
“We want to ship something the way we would like to receive it ourselves. That applies to everything, from a pallet to an online order.”
Sustainability as a natural part of everything
For Elke, sustainability is not a separate topic, but something that is part of everything you do. From material use to packaging, and from transport to assembly.
The Japanese principle of mottainai, the feeling that you should not waste something valuable, runs through her way of working. You see it in choices such as reusing packaging materials, reducing empty space in packaging and carefully considering the use of raw materials.
“It’s often in the small decisions. But those are the ones that make a difference in the long run.”
Practical, with an eye for style
Where Elke once saw herself mainly as practical, she has come to realize that things can be both practical and stylish. At Urban Iki, she has experienced that functionality and design can go hand in hand.
“It doesn’t have to be either practical or beautiful. It can be both.”
She brings that perspective into her work as well as in how she looks at products in everyday life.
The moment that matters
Besides her role within the team, Elke is also a mother. Although her three children are now a bit older, one moment always stays with her: the first time cycling together.
Her favorite product? The front seat. Not just because of its functionality, but because of what it makes possible.
“That first ride together… it’s magical. It’s not just a bike ride, it’s a moment you’ll never forget.”
In our corporate culture, people, earth and product come together perfectly through corporate social responsibility. Read more about Urban Iki's approach.Read more
Making the production process more sustainable at Urban Iki
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