Rubena
Pro Cycling Imports Pty Ltd was established in 2011 with the goal of importing and distributing renowned cycling brands from Europe, mainly from the Czech Republic.
Jaroslav Kulhavy wins Windham World Cup 2010
We at Pro Cycling Imports are a team of cyclists, professional, amatuer and recreational, who understand the demands of cycling. Our goal is to support all levels of cyclist with the highest quality products for both fun and high performance. We aim to bring the best European products to the Australian market which have been developed and tested by the best European athletes.
Currently our main distribution brand is RUBENA a.s. who produce top quality tyres and tubes for all cycling disciplines. Rubena have been working with performance rubber for more than 85 years. Pro Cycling Imports are currently participating in the development of new compounds and tread designs specifically for cycling in Australian conditions.
All our Rubena products are thoroughly tested by top Australian cyclists in Australia’s toughest conditions well before they reach the general public.
Hradec Kralove and Náchod – the home of Rubena
Náchod Castle and Square - Engraving, 1740 AD
Hradec Kralove is among the oldest towns in central Europe (Bohemia). Historical sources date it back to 1225. In the Middle Ages it was a dowry town of Czech Queens meaning it was passed on from one Kings wife to the next, thus its’ literal translation, ‘The City of Bohemia Queens.
Náchod is 100km from the centre of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The town formed in the 14th century after the building of Náchod in the mid 13th century. Náchod brewery was built in the 1800’s and until 2009 was still owned by the town itself.
The history of Rubena a.s.
The rubber industry in Náchod, Czech Republic (then Czechoslvakia), has a long tradition. In 1908 Josef Kudrná started the production of lubricants, seals and other rubber products. In 1923 he took Jaroslav Haukaf as a partner, and together they started the production of technical rubber and subsequently other rubber products. In 1928 these two parted ways – Hakauf went on to produce the first Czech car tyre as Gumovka company in the nearby area of Hradec Králové. Josef Kudrná started Kudrná Co. and began the production of bicycle tyres and tubes in Náchod.
Hradec Kralove on the Orlice River
In 1924 now globally known shoe manufacturer Bata begins making rubber soles in Czechoslovakia. The high costs of rail transport prompted the company to set up its own fleet of vehicles to transport goods by road in 1932.
To counteract the high costs involved in importing tyres for its fleet of vehicles, the company decides to produce them itself in 1934. Following this Bata invests extensively in the tyre sector.
After World War Two, Kudrná Co. was turned into a national company, and given a new name – RUBENA. which means RUBE- (Rubber) -NA (Náchod). A year later the rubber company Rubena Náchod was founded.
By 1947 three major rubber producing companies in Czechoslovakia were merged – Bata in Zlín, Rubena in Náchod and Mitas and the Barum company is born.
As for the Gumovka company the original owners did not return after the War, and with the nationalization of all industries in Czechoslovakia, the company became a part of the now Government owned rubber company Rubena Náchod. In the 1960’s they again produced car tyres under Barum. In the early 70’s the production of car tyres was transferred from Náchod to Otrokovice.
In 1989 with the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia (now divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Rubena Náchod became an independent state company, and three years later this company was turned into an incorporated company.
In 1993 the Barum Continental s.r.o. Group of Companies is formed making Barum (and the now Rubena a.s) part of the Continental Group.
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