HOW ARE NEW LOCKING SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED AT TRELOCK?

Patrick has been driving the development of our bicycle locks since 2021. With a background in industrial engineering and hands-on experience as an industrial mechanic, he combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of security, everyday usability, and the demands of modern mobility. "A lock has to work reliably every single day. That's our benchmark in product development," says Patrick.

A key starting point for new products is direct interaction with the market. "We take customer feedback very seriously, whether it comes from OEMs, retailers, or end users," Patrick explains. "Whenever we see changing needs or opportunities to improve specific features, we act proactively. Many of our innovations originate from exactly this kind of feedback."

In addition to market insights, trend analyses, internal ideas, and technological developments all contribute to the product strategy. Every proposal is collected and carefully evaluated based on factors such as technical feasibility, commercial viability, brand strategy, and expected production costs. "This structured assessment forms the basis of our annual development roadmap. It ensures that we bring the right products to market at the right time."

One of TRELOCK's major strengths is the close collaboration between product management and engineering, supported by physical proximity. "Our engineers are based right here in Münster, making communication incredibly efficient," Patrick emphasizes. "We can test ideas immediately, experiment, and refine prototypes in real time. These short distances significantly accelerate the entire development process."

Quality assurance plays a critical role throughout development. Every lock function is thoroughly tested, from material evaluations and UV exposure tests to humidity testing and load simulations. "We deliberately test under extreme conditions to ensure our locks perform reliably in everyday use," Patrick explains. "For safety-related products, that level of testing is essential."

Once a concept is technically mature, close coordination with production teams and suppliers begins. "We closely oversee the transition into manufacturing," says Patrick. "That ensures the quality achieved during development is consistently maintained in series production."

For Patrick, this combination of market insight, technical expertise, and close collaboration is what makes TRELOCK unique. "We're not just developing bicycle locks. We're creating solutions that help protect people in their everyday lives. And it's incredibly rewarding to see a product on the street that you helped bring to life."

HOW DOES TRELOCK DEVELOP MODERN LIGHTING SYSTEMS?

Ralf, a qualified industrial engineer, has been part of the TRELOCK development team for many years. With a technical academic background and extensive experience in industry, he brings a broad understanding of mechanics, electronics, and software, making him ideally suited to the development of modern bicycle lighting systems. "Lighting is an incredibly exciting product category," says Ralf. "It combines optics, mechanics, electronics, and software in a single system."

One of TRELOCK's greatest strengths is its international engineering team. Engineers from different countries work together to develop innovative solutions. "We benefit enormously from the fact that different cultures bring different strengths to the table," explains Ralf. "This diversity leads to better ideas and, ultimately, better products."

Another major advantage is the close connection to production. Most TRELOCK lighting systems are manufactured in France, where additional engineers are based. "That's a huge benefit," Ralf emphasizes. "We can closely support developments, respond quickly, and work directly with production teams to find solutions. This proximity creates a completely different level of quality throughout the development process."

A key element of development is the lighting laboratory at the Münster site. Here, optical systems can be precisely measured, beam patterns analyzed, and a wide range of technical properties simulated. "Having direct access to testing and measurement equipment makes us extremely flexible," says Ralf. Additional tests, such as durability and environmental testing, are carried out as required in collaboration with specialized partners.

Before a physical prototype is ever built, the Münster team works extensively with a digital twin. "We simulate optical performance, calculate mechanical loads, and evaluate electrical properties before the first component is even manufactured. This saves time and improves quality," Ralf explains. This digital development process is a key building block that makes the entire team more efficient and provides the foundation for subsequent testing and validation.

TRELOCK has a long history of innovation, including the introduction of the first sensor-controlled brake light in 2014 and the first approved LED battery-powered lighting system. "Innovations like these don't happen by chance," says Ralf. "Many of our engineers have been with the company for ten, twenty, or even more than thirty years. This accumulated expertise shapes everything we do and is one of the reasons we're able to continue setting new standards in the industry."