What RKB Karosseriewerk does

RKB Karosseriewerk GmbH is a German specialty vehicle bodybuilder founded in 1929 and headquartered in Döbeln, Saxony, where it manufactures custom transport and special-purpose vehicles on customer-supplied chassis. Its product portfolio spans mobile sales and promotional vehicles, refrigerated and food-retail transporters, ambulances and emergency-services vehicles, broadcast and media trucks, security and defense vehicles, and more recent additions including Pick-up, Scanner, and Test-mobile platforms. The company's core technical differentiator is proprietary GFRP/GFK sandwich composite technology, enabling lightweight, insulated, and structurally rigid body structures produced in a DIN ISO 9001:2015-certified process and increasingly automated through a 2023-installed sandwich-bonding line and a 2024 CNC machining center.

RKB operates a project-based B2B business model in which vehicles are engineered to customer specification, priced per build, and typically delivered through direct sales relationships; a parallel standardized-product e-commerce channel exists under the RKBGamo brand. Its customer base spans logistics operators, food retailers, emergency-services organizations (e.g., Johanniter), broadcasters, security and defense clients, and large corporates (e.g., Vodafone, Adidas, Sparkasse). Following the February 2019 merger with GAMO Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, the combined RKBGamo group operates from Döbeln and a second site in Lödla acquired in 2022, and self-positions as the second-largest special-vehicle manufacturer in Germany with a workforce of 100–120+ at the Döbeln site. The company is privately held under management ownership and does not publicly disclose financial results.

Name

RKB Karosseriewerk

Legal name

RKB Karosseriewerk GmbH

Website

https://rkb.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

RKB Karosseriewerk GmbH is a German specialty vehicle bodybuilder (est. 1929, Döbeln) that engineers custom transport, ambulance, broadcast, security, and mobile-retail vehicles using proprietary GFRP/GFK sandwich composite technology for B2B customers across logistics, emergency services, and enterprise fleets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Vehicle Manufacturing

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Vehicle Body Manufacturing (Emergency/Military/Mobile Clinics) (IMACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC), Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI), Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing (IMACAGAJ)

Keywords

• Special vehicle manufacturing
• Custom vehicle bodies
• Commercial vehicle conversions
• Mobile sales vehicles
• GFK sandwich panels

Headquarters

HQ city

Döbeln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Vehicle Manufacturing: Custom design and manufacture of special purpose vehicle bodies and conversions including transport vehicles, sales vehicles, and special purpose vehicles. Revenue is generated through project-based one-time sales with pricing based on individual customer requirements and specifications.
2. Spare Parts & Aftermarket: Sales of spare parts and assemblies for RKB vehicles through their parts service department and online shop. Customers can order parts via phone or email.
3. Service & Repairs: Repair services at service points, including maintenance and repair work for existing RKB vehicles.
4. Online Shop Sales: Direct consumer sales of standardized products including sanitary trailers (FTT series), Microliner, and construction site trailers through the RKBGamo online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RKB Karosseriewerk GmbH designs, engineers and manufactures custom-built special purpose vehicle bodies and conversions, offering complete in-house production from sandwich element production through final interior outfitting. The portfolio spans transport vehicles (bread delivery, KEP/courier-express-parcel), special vehicles (command vehicles, ambulances, film service vehicles, inspection vehicles, promotion vehicles, scanner vehicles, SNG broadcast trucks, cash transporters, sanitary and construction site trailers) and mobile sales vehicles (bakery, fish, butcher, grill/snack, Microliner). All bodies use proprietary RKB® glass-fiber-reinforced-plastic sandwich technology for durability, sound insulation, and lightweight high-payload construction.

Product overview

RKB Karosseriewerk (now RKBGamo following 2019 merger with GAMO) is a special purpose vehicle manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of custom-built vehicle bodies and mobile solutions. The product range is organized into three main categories: Transportfahrzeuge (transport vehicles including bread delivery, KEP/courier-express-parcel, and refrigerated vehicles), Sonderfahrzeuge (special purpose vehicles including command vehicles, film service vehicles, inspection vehicles, mobile veterinary clinics, promotion vehicles, ambulances, scanner vehicles, broadcast trucks, cash transport vehicles, sanitary trailers, and construction site trailers), and Verkaufsfahrzeuge (mobile sales vehicles including bakeries, fish, butcher, grill/snack food, and microliner compact trailers). The company operates from Döbeln, Germany, with manufacturing facilities using sandwich panel technology, fiberglass-reinforced plastics, and RKB's proprietary lightweight construction methods. Products are available in integral construction, module construction, box van conversion, or trailer configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RKB®: Das Markenzeichen für Sonderfahrzeugbau - Sonderaufbauten für Logistik-, Verkaufs- und Sonderfahrzeuge.
• RKBGamo
• RKB Delivery
• RKB Microliner
• FTT Serie
• BACK-MASTER

Products and services

• Brotverteiler (Bread Distribution Vehicles) Delivery vehicles specifically designed for bread and bakery product distribution, featuring optimized cargo space and reliable delivery configurations for bakery logistics operations.
• KEP / Verteilerfahrzeuge (Courier, Express, Parcel Vehicles) Courier, Express, and Parcel (KEP) delivery vehicles for package distribution logistics, featuring RKB lightweight sandwich construction with over 1 tonne payload capacity on 3.5-tonne chassis. Sold under the RKB Delivery sub-brand.
• Einsatzleitwagen (Emergency Command Vehicles) Command and control vehicles for emergency services equipped with communication technology, seating, and technical equipment for coordination during operations. Deployed for organizations including Johanniter emergency services and water rescue operations.
• Filmservicefahrzeuge (Film Service Vehicles) Professional film production support vehicles including wardrobe trucks, makeup trucks, mobile dressing rooms (Garderobenmobil), and mobile green rooms built on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis for on-location production use.
• Inspektionsfahrzeuge (Inspection Vehicles) Specialized inspection vehicles for canal rehabilitation, bridge maintenance, and pipeline inspection featuring portal systems, work platforms, and rear steps with emergency lighting for municipal utilities and infrastructure maintenance use.
• Promotionmobile (Promotion Vehicles) Mobile promotion and marketing vehicles for brand activations, product launches, mobile retail and exhibitions with full-vehicle branding. Configurations include Vodafone mobile shops, Adidas Golf Shop promotion vehicles, Sparkasse mobile branches, and fair/exhibition vehicles.
• Mobile Tierarztpraxis (Mobile Veterinary Clinic) Mobile veterinary clinics designed for veterinarians in both rural and urban areas, providing complete veterinary facilities in a mobile format for mobile veterinary service delivery.
• Rettungswagen (Ambulances / Rescue Vehicles) Emergency rescue vehicles including ambulances (RTW), patient transport (KTW), intensive care transport (ITW), and emergency physician vehicles. Features 270° opening rear portal, side doors, and approximately 15 m³ interior volume.
• Scannerfahrzeuge (Mobile Scanner Vehicles) Mobile security scanner solutions for airports, major events, and public buildings. Available in 3.5-tonne, 5-tonne, and 26-tonne configurations for baggage scanning, personnel control, epidemic control, and special operations, with radiation-protected special constructions per EU occupational safety directives.
• SNG-Übertragungswagen (SNG Broadcast Vehicles) Satellite News Gathering broadcast vehicles for radio and television production. Available from compact 3.5-tonne units to 26-tonne mobile production studios, including control room vehicles, satellite broadcast trucks, radio broadcast vehicles, editing trucks, and mobile studios.
• Werttransporter (Cash & Valuables Transport Vehicles) Armored cash and valuable transport vehicles with up to 1 tonne payload capacity, 2-meter garage clearance height, and low entry point. Features light or special armor plating, GPS monitoring, and remote control for transporting cash, precious metals, gems, jewelry, art, and documents.
• Sanitär-Trailer (Sanitary Trailers, FTT Series) Mobile sanitary solutions including toilet trailers (FTT models with 2-6 WC units, urinals, handicap-accessible cubicles) and shower trailers (FBZ/FTD models with 1-8 showers). Features single-axle design, 10-minute deployment time, frost protection, and sandwich construction. Models include FTT 230, FTT 320, FTT 390 HANDICAP, FTT 460, FTT 610, FTT 610 HANDICAP, FBZ 230, FBZ 460, FBZ 610, and FTD 460.
• Bauwagen FTT 380 autark 4in1 (Self-Sufficient Construction Site Trailer) Self-sufficient construction site trailer combining four functions: work/meeting area, break room with mini-kitchen, sanitary area with ceramic toilet and washbasin, and equipment storage technical room. Includes fresh and wastewater tanks, battery package for autonomous power, and compact dimensions for easy maneuvering.
• Bäckermobil (Mobile Bakery Vehicle) Mobile bakery vehicles featuring continuous sales flap, refrigeration display cases, driver compartment connection, and up to 280W solar panel for autonomous power. Includes bread boards, presentation shelves, professional cabinet systems, and individual vehicle branding. Sold as the BACK-MASTER premium configuration.
• Fischmobil (Mobile Fish Sales Vehicle) Mobile fish and seafood sales vehicles with up to 6,000mm continuous display counter (30 m² configuration), 95% visible refrigerated display, and 30% lower customer entry height. Features circulation cooling technology, insulated under-counter refrigerated storage, and configurations suitable for cheese and dairy products.
• Fleischermobil (Mobile Butcher/Meat Sales Vehicle) Mobile butcher and meat product sales vehicles with 15 m³ refrigerated space, 3,100mm continuous refrigerated display counter, modern cooling technology, and thermal bridge-free construction. Includes display flaps, weather protection glazing, work surfaces, hygiene area, and optional 280W solar system.
• Grill- & Imbissfahrzeuge (Grill and Snack Food Vehicles) Mobile grill and snack food vehicles for street food operations. Features include professional equipment (grills, combination broilers, fryers, ovens, refrigerators, high-performance exhaust hoods), individual sales flaps and counters, and compliance with hygiene requirements. Available as integral construction, module construction, or box van conversion.
• Microliner (Ultra-Compact Mobile Sales Trailer) Ultra-compact mobile sales trailer for small businesses, requiring no additional driver's license. Features flexible configuration for food and non-food applications, optional sales counter, sink with hygiene package, fresh and wastewater tanks, refrigerator, LED lighting, roof ventilator, and metallic or solid color paint finish.
• Ersatzteile & Baugruppen (Spare Parts and Assemblies Service) Direct spare parts and assemblies service for RKB vehicle owners, with ordering via phone, email ([email protected]), or the RKBGamo online shop. Provides replacement parts and pre-assembled components for ongoing maintenance of RKB-built vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Maximum payload of 1.0 tonnes achieved with 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight through lightweight construction
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GAMO Fahrzeugwerke GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Strategic merger combining RKB Karosseriewerk GmbH and GAMO Fahrzeugwerke GmbH in February 2019 to form RKBGamo. The combined entity represents one of the leading providers of special vehicle manufacturing in Europe, with two locations and over 120 employees. The merger bundled long-term experience and competencies for future growth.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wietmarscher Ambulanz und Sonderfahrzeug GmbH (WAS): German manufacturer of ambulances and special-purpose vehicles, directly comparable to RKB's emergency vehicle and special body manufacturing focus in the same DACH market.
• Lüdke Fahrzeugbau GmbH: German coachbuilder producing custom promotional, sales, and special-purpose vehicle bodies, comparable to RKB's promotion and Verkaufsfahrzeug product lines.
• Fahrtec Systeme GmbH: German vehicle conversion and special-purpose body builder focused on mobile solutions, directly overlapping with RKB's custom conversion and upfitting capabilities.
• Strobel Sonderfahrzeugbau GmbH: German manufacturer of special-purpose and emergency vehicles with similar custom body engineering expertise to RKB Karosseriewerk.
• BSS Hollander GmbH: German manufacturer of armored and cash-in-transit vehicles, directly comparable to RKB's Werttransporter product line and security/special vehicle offerings.
• Wilhelm Karmann GmbH: Historic German coachbuilder with a reconstituted business focused on convertible and special vehicle conversions, comparable heritage specialty vehicle body manufacturer.

Broad incumbents

• Dethleffs GmbH & Co. KG: Established German RV manufacturer (part of the Hymer Group) using comparable composite and sandwich body construction, relevant as a broader specialty vehicle incumbent.
• Hymer GmbH & Co. KG: Major German motorhome and caravan manufacturer with extensive use of sandwich panel construction, comparable as a large-scale specialty vehicle body incumbent.
• Knaus Tabbert AG: Larger German RV and towable manufacturer using similar sandwich panel and lightweight construction methods, comparable as a broader specialty vehicle incumbent.
• EvoBus GmbH (Setra / Mercedes-Benz Buses): Major European bus and coach body manufacturer including the Setra coachbuilder brand; broader incumbent that overlaps with RKB's bus and coach body capabilities at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQbJnyDh6ZL6LJXKVaZmHDA
• Pinterestpinterest.com/rkbde
• Facebookfacebook.com/rkbgamofahrzeugwerke

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RKB Karosseriewerk