Peter has a mecca for collectors

At Rösebäcken's bike & motor, there are millions of spare parts. In a converted two-story barn, there are things from floor to ceiling.

– I don't know exactly how much I have in stock, but it's a lot, says Peter Elfström, owner of the company that could just as easily function as an exciting museum.

The company is a mecca for moped enthusiasts. Customers are found all over the Nordic countries and even as far away as Germany. Most of the products are sold via mail order, but quite a few customers come to Rösebäcken to browse the endless shelves of spare parts themselves.

– Old mopeds are popular. For many, it's a nostalgia trip to revive old boyhood memories, says Peter.

In addition to the warehouse and workshop, there is also a shop at Rösebäcken. It feels like stepping into a cozy trading post from the past at Peter Elfström's. On the left is Hanna Mattsson, who is employed by the company. Photo: Olov Öström

It can also be profitable to own old mopeds. The German Zündapp, the moped with the famous loaf for a saddle, is most popular.

– We don't buy those types of mopeds because they are so expensive to buy. You can get a well-maintained Zündapp for 40,000-45,000 kronor, says Peter.

Peter's favorites among the old mopeds are the German-made Victoria and Kreidler.

Now it's far from just mopeds that are repaired or traded in at Rösebäcken. Bicycles, robotic lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, snow throwers - yes, almost anything powered by a petrol engine can be fixed here.

 

The warehouse at Rösebäcken can be described as fairly full. Photo: Olov Öström

Peter Elfström has this thing about screwing in his blood. His father worked for Kristinehamn Municipality servicing lawnmowers and other things. His grandfather was a bicycle repairman. He himself started out as a livestock keeper and dreamed of having his own farm. That's how he found Rösebäcken a few miles north of Väse.

But there is little animal husbandry these days. There are a few horses.

Peter still has enough to do. He puts in 60 to 70 hours a week and that without taking any salary.

– I invest everything in the company instead. My wife, who is a veterinarian, is responsible for the livelihood.

The next project is to replace the roof and install solar cells on the former barn that houses the shop, workshop and warehouse.

 

Peter Elfström has a huge stock of stuff, to say the least. Photo: Olov Öström

As I said, spare parts are available high and low in the warehouse, new and used. It's not always easy to find them among all the shelves. Not even Peter always does it.

The workshop is clinically clean and tidy. Here, Peter also works with warranty repairs for companies such as Granngården, Jula and K-rauta.

Rösebäckens cykel & motor has a turnover of around 1.5 million SEK. The company has two employees, Peter and Hanna Mattsson. In addition, Peter's son Viktor helps out in the company in addition to his regular job.

The high season is from March to October, when there are also a lot of customers coming to the store.

Most sales are otherwise done via mail order.

Where do you find all the spare parts?

– Hanna is very good at tracking down what we want online. Otherwise, I usually buy from companies that are closing down or at auctions, says Peter.

If Rösebäcken's bike & engine were located in Karlstad instead, sales would certainly have increased significantly. It would also have been easier to handle deliveries.

There is also shiny new stuff. Photo: Olov Öström

 

– The postman is here every day. It works great. But not everyone uses the post, the packages come via a courier company and they only deliver once a week. Of course, that's a big disadvantage. But the advantages of being where we are outweighed. People find their way here anyway.

Peter has his company on the farm. This means that the cost of the land is moderate. And the distance to the workplace is conveniently short. For better or worse. It is easy to find that there are many extra hours when the job is so conveniently close.

– If I had a similar area for warehouses in Karlstad, it would be too expensive. But you really shouldn't have any warehouses these days, it should be on the road, Peter points out.

 

Peter Elfström has his company housed in the farm's barn. However, it has been rebuilt and expanded over the years. Photo: Olov Öström

The shop and warehouse have many regular customers, especially when it comes to moped stuff. The most common customer is a man aged 50-70 who likes to tinker with his moped or mopeds but still wants a little help. He can show up several times a week.

– Interest in old mopeds has increased significantly. Those who own old mopeds seem to have plenty of money. That's probably why prices have gone up so much for certain brands, Peter muses.

When is job satisfaction greatest?

– It's when I can help a customer find what they're looking for in my own warehouse. That's when it feels really good.

Article from NWT 2019-11-20
Photo: Olov Öström