KEEGO founder Lukas informs about fire in production
Hello Lukas!
Can you tell us more about the fire?
Yes, unfortunately we had an unfortunate incident in July that hit us hard.
A fire broke out in our production facility during the night shift and spread quickly. Fortunately, thanks to the courageous intervention of our employee with the fire extinguisher, the worst was prevented and nobody was injured. Nevertheless, the plant on which the KEEGOs are finished was badly damaged.
As we not only rethought the material connection and the production process when developing the KEEGO, but the production system is also a custom-made product, we unfortunately had no way of switching to another machine. The quickest way was to repair the system. We are on the right track here and are now starting the first test runs.
How are you planning to deal with this situation? How can your customers support you?
We are working around the clock to resume production as quickly as possible and are making great progress, we are on the home straight.
One thing is certain: WE KEEP GOING!
In the meantime, we have developed the SUPPORT-PACKAGE which our community can purchase to speed up the rebuilding process. The package is a great bargain & many have already secured the discounted set. Thanks for that!
So we're on the right track and feeling positive.
KEEGOS AVAILABLE AGAIN
For this reason, the majority of our bottles are available for pre-order again, as it won't be long now.
This means that whoever orders first will be the first to receive the new bottles when everything is back to normal.
On a more positive note:
You recently introduced a new product - the Mountain Cap.
What makes it special?
The Mountain Cap is absolutely leak-proof, even during intensive activities. It combines a robust closure with a practical carabiner that can be used as required. Made from high-quality, food-safe silicone, it is also compatible with all previous KEEGO nozzles and is easy to clean.
Where do you see the Mountain Cap being used?
The Mountain Cap is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, bikepacking and camping. I personally use it on mountain tours and via ferrata, as it keeps the water fresh and safe even in rough terrain and is easy to attach to my rucksack or stow away safely.
KEEGO is celebrating its 5th anniversary this summer. Are you planning to celebrate this?
KEEGO's 5th anniversary is a big milestone for us.
Despite the current challenges posed by the fire, we want to celebrate this anniversary with our own merchandise collection. We are planning a special campaign, which we will be presenting shortly. Our motto for the anniversary is "KEEP GOING" - we are not discouraged and are looking positively to the future.
What have been the highlights of 2024 so far?
The response to our products has been overwhelming.So many people came along to events such as the
Cyclingworld, the Dreiländergiro and the Salzkammergut Trophy tocelebrate KEEGO. In Vienna, you can now find KEEGO on every corner . And so much is posted online that it's just fun.
Personally, I am extremely pleased that we are now included with KEEGO in the exhibition of my favorite museum in Vienna, the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts)!
What plans do you have for the future of KEEGO, particularly with regard to your product range?
We have many exciting plans for the future. In addition to further developing our existing products, we want to expand our range and offer even more innovative solutions for our customers. Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of this.
The aim is to incorporate even more recycled material in the interests of sustainability and to increase scratch resistance so that they can be enjoyed for even longer. We can also rethink the closure and mouthpiece, as the Mountain Cap shows. We would also like to optimize it for other areas of application, e.g. with an ice hockey attachment.
Are there any particular challenges that you have to face this year?
Even before the fire at our production facility, we had difficulties keeping up with the high demand. We want to use the break to make our processes more stable and create higher capacities. We see the opportunities rather than the obstacles and remain positive!
In addition, inflation has also left its mark on us. Since the market launch, we have not adjusted the prices for KEEGO upwards, but in some cases reduced them.
We have to think about this depending on the progress in production.
Finally, what would you like to say to our readers?
We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this difficult time and who also understands our current situation.
Your trust and support mean a lot to us.
Continue to consume consciously and enjoy the wonderful natural world!
TOGETHERWE KEEP GOING!
Lukas & TEAM KEEGO