Kurbads Celebrates 30 Years and Thanks Its Trusted Partners

Founded in 1995, just a few years after Latvia regained its independence, Kurbads has grown into one of the leading car transportation and logistics companies in the country. At that time, the nation was learning to breathe freedom, while young entrepreneurs were taking their first bold steps.

Over the past three decades, Kurbads has become one of the most recognized logistics brands in the Baltic States. It is a story of perseverance, ambition, belief in oneself, and loyalty to one’s homeland. In these 30 years, the company has experienced both rapid growth and serious trials – facing challenges, enduring global and national economic crises, overcoming industry-shaping disruptions, and still managing to expand without losing its core value: the quality of services, which has become a hallmark of Latvia on Europe’s roads.

On Friday, August 29, at the company’s logistics base in Riga, Mazjumpravas Street 24, Kurbads celebrated its 30th anniversary. During the festivities, company owner Andis Pikāns and logistics director Toms Hartmanis presented special awards, created by sculptor Oskars Mikāns, to their most loyal partners – Moller Baltic Import SE, Baltijas Sporta Auto, Inchcape Motors Latvia, Skandi Motors SIA, Inchcape Motors Lithuania, United Motors AS, Autolink Group AS – as well as to artist Alfreds Paulausks for his long-standing contribution to shaping the Kurbads brand identity.

Guests at the celebration also witnessed a special event – the inauguration of the company’s 125th car carrier, a tradition that has become a symbolic ritual for Kurbads. The new truck was sent off with Latvian folk songs and ancient rituals, brought to life by folklorist Inese Krūmiņa and her creative group, highlighting the bond between people, the iron horse, and the Latvian spirit. The evening culminated with a vibrant performance by the band Carnival Youth, adding a bright note to the anniversary festivities.

The cab of the new anniversary carrier is adorned with the stylized figure of a Latvian mythological strongman – a deliberate choice, as the energy of the legendary hero Kurbads has accompanied the company throughout its journey. The character, originally created by writer Ansis Lerhis-Puškaitis, was believed to possess supernatural strength, drawing power from both the sky and the earth. The visual design for the anniversary truck was created by Latvian artist Alfreds Paulausks, based on sculptor Oskars Mikāns’ model of Kurbads.

Technically, carrier #125 is a modern Volvo FH 62T tractor equipped with Kässbohrer car-carrier systems. Beneath the body lies a 12.8-liter Turbo Compound diesel engine delivering 500 horsepower, ensuring high efficiency, performance, and sustainability on Europe’s long routes.

The new carrier has been entrusted to driver-dispatcher Reinis Pulkstenis. A native of Riga, Reinis has been part of the Kurbads team for over five years. Today, the Kurbads fleet includes more than 50 car carriers, each with a unique design that tells its own story. The large truck cabs feature different heroes – serving as both sources of inspiration and symbols of the company’s values: always walking its own path and never losing sight of its goals.

We take pride in the fact that the legendary friends of Kurbads, depicted on our car carriers, are noticed and appreciated on Europe’s highways. They make the fleet of a trusted transporter distinctive and recognizable across the region, carrying strong and inspiring stories into the world and reminding us of our national identity and the Latvian values we strive to uphold every day. This is the foundation of the company – expressed not only within our team but also as a message to our contemporaries.