Kārlis Skrastiņš is one of the greatest hockey players in Latvian history. He served as the national team’s captain for many years and was known in the NHL by the nickname “Iron Man.” He was a defenseman with a strong character, strict discipline, and clear principles. He was born on July 9, 1974, in Riga, and tragically passed away on September 7, 2011, in Yaroslavl.

Throughout his career, Skrastiņš played 832 games in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars. He represented Latvia in three Olympic Games and nine World Championships, totaling 151 games for the national team. He was one of the team’s most reliable players and respected leaders.

On February 8, 2007, Skrastiņš made hockey history by becoming the NHL defenseman with the longest consecutive games streak – 495 games. The streak began on February 21, 2000, and lasted until February 25, 2007. With this achievement, he surpassed Tim Horton’s record and secured his place among the greatest in NHL history.

Skrastiņš was a true legend. His work ethic and resilience became a standard for young hockey players around the world. He was the Iron Man not only on the ice but also in people’s hearts.

The newest addition to the Kurbads fleet, the Mercedes-Benz Actros 1848 L Trend Line, is a powerful and reliable truck tailored for modern logistics. It is equipped with fuel-saving technologies, improved aerodynamics, and complies with EURO 6 emission standards, significantly reducing harmful pollutants. The cab is designed for driver comfort and features smart control systems that enhance the long-haul driving experience.

The wheel has been entrusted to Edgars Paškevičs, a professional driver from Krāslava Municipality, who has been with Kurbads since 2020. Over the years, Edgars has driven more than 800,000 kilometers across European roads, proving himself a responsible and dedicated employee.

The vehicle’s visual design was created in collaboration with artist Alfreds Paulausks. It prominently features Skrastiņš’s iconic jersey number 37, which he wore in the NHL. This design serves as a simple yet powerful symbol of his athletic legacy and values. The dedication ceremony was attended by Kārlis Skrastiņš’s brother Atis, HS Kurbads coaches, and company staff. The event was enriched by the presence of the folk group “Brička” from Ķekava, whose songs and Latvian rituals brought depth and heartfelt emotion to the ceremony.

Hockey has always been closely connected to Kurbads. The company has successfully developed a youth hockey system HS Kurbads, and maintains and supports an ice hall in Riga, where young athletes train and local and international tournaments are organized. This dedication ceremony was not only a tribute to Kārlis Skrastiņš, but also a meaningful continuation of Kurbads' long-term mission – to support and promote the development of hockey in Latvia.

Ilmārs Blumbergs (1943–2016) was one of the most prominent cultural figures in Latvia - an artist, scenographer, and graphic designer whose works have left a lasting impact on the development of art and theater. His creative journey began at the Dailes Theatre, where, starting in 1969, over 16 years, he evolved from a scenographer full of new ideas to the theater’s chief artist, shaping its visual narrative and giving it a unique character. Blumbergs' stage designs stood out for their philosophical depth and visual expressiveness, introducing new trends in Latvian theater.

The design of car carrier #118 was created by artist Alfreds Paulausks, inspired by Ilmārs Blumbergs' work, crafting a unique visual story that carries the artist's spiritual legacy forward. The centerpiece of the vehicle is Blumbergs’ self-portrait, captured in a large-format photograph by Gvido Kajons.

Two symbolic inscriptions stand out on the truck’s cabin - “Es Nemiršu” (I Will Not Die) and “Es Ticu” (I Believe), expressing Blumbergs’ conviction in art’s power to transcend the boundaries of time and space, immortalizing creative ideas in eternity. These inscriptions, along with other design elements, transform the car carrier into a traveling artwork that not only inspires but also engages people outside the traditional gallery setting.

Kurbads’ connection to art is evident not only in special projects but also in daily life. The company’s office at Mazjumpravas Street 24 is a place where art naturally interacts with everyday work. Among various artworks and design elements, Blumbergs’ collection “Viss ir Viens” (Everything is One) holds a special place. This environment fosters an inspiring atmosphere that stimulates creative thinking and helps generate new solutions. It is a space where employees and visitors can experience the presence of art and find new ideas, merging art with business.

Kurbads’ newest car carrier, #118, is a Mercedes-Benz Actros 1848 L Trend Line, distinguished by its advanced technology and exceptional reliability, ensuring efficient and safe vehicle transportation. This car carrier will be operated by Andris Freibergs from Talsi, a skilled driver who has been part of our team for seven years. The Actros is equipped with a powerful 480-horsepower engine and improved aerodynamics, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to a more environmentally friendly operation.

The ergonomic cabin provides a high level of comfort for long journeys, helping the driver maintain performance and focus. To guarantee excellent stability and load capacity, the truck is fitted with an Intago-type trailer, which ensures maximum flexibility and efficiency in transport operations. This trailer offers a safe and practical solution for loading various vehicles, ensuring optimal arrangement and effective transportation. By combining the latest vehicle transport technologies with over 30 years of experience, we continue to deliver the highest quality services to our clients.

The inauguration ceremony took place in a heartfelt and festive atmosphere, unveiling the new car carrier and honoring cultural and artistic values. The event was attended by Ilmārs Blumbergs’ family, Kurbads’ friends, partners, and employees, fostering a sense of unity and highlighting the artist’s creative legacy. Folklorist Inese Krūmiņa, blending ancient traditions with contemporary art, created a symbolic connection between the past and the present.

Kurbads owner Andis Pikāns shared his personal connection with Blumbergs, acknowledging that the artist’s work has been a source of inspiration not only for the company's growth but also for his life philosophy. “Blumbergs’ graphics bring me peace and moments of reflection, allowing me to find balance and understanding in difficult times,” said Pikāns, expressing deep gratitude for the artist’s impact on him and the realization of this dream.

This ceremony not only marked the journey of the new car carrier but also affirmed Kurbads' commitment to promoting Latvian cultural values globally and honoring Blumbergs' artistic heritage.

Harijs Vītoliņš, previous Latvian ice hockey player, coach of the legendary Latvian national ice hockey team, with whom he won a bronze medal in the IHF Hockey World Cup in 2023. He has earned the right to gather around the campfire with Kurbads and other heroes due to his significant achievements in the development of Latvian ice hockey. An analytical and intelligent leader, he has not engaged in fights on the battlefield but would rise to be a hero under different circumstances. In the Vītoliņš family tree, three Hariijs generations (son, father, grandfather) have earned respect and gratitude through their contributions to Latvian ice hockey development. No other family has done as much for ice hockey in Latvia.

On Harijs Vītoliņš birthday - April 30th, the car transportation and logistics company Kurbads celebrated its newest addition to our fleet, this time honoring the Latvian national team's bronze medals at the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championship. Continuing the story of legends and heroes, with whom Kurbads itself would like to sit around the campfire, this time the discussions seemed unnecessary because there was no doubt that it should be dedicated to the event that stirred our nation's emotions throughout the past summer.

However, the artist Alfreds Paulausks had a challenge - who, how, and how to portray everything on the car carrier? Every story has a main character, a key person who is in the right place at the right time, who has a goal and determination to achieve it. We believe that it was the head coach Harijs Vītoliņš who created and led the dream team to the bronze medal, so his portrait is also the main element, complemented by a photograph by Roman Kokšarov capturing the team's emotions when the deciding goal was scored.

In the initiation of the newest Kurbads fleet car carrier participated the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation's Secretary General Roberts Pļāvējs, General Manager Rūdolfs Kalvītis, Latvian national team captain Kaspars Daugaviņš, and coach Lauris Dārziņš. They had the opportunity to learn about the traditions with which the company initiates new car carriers onto the European highways. As usual, the ritual was led by folklorist Inese Krūmiņa together with the men's folk group Vilki.

Singer Haralds Sīmanis, whose energy and spirit resonate with our values, was a great man with a wonderful heart. He has been respected and cherished in countless hearts, including by our campfire. As the musical soul of our company, he has left a very personal imprint in our hearts, so we wanted to honor the artist by portraying him on our car carrier.

Alfreds Paulausks, Kurbads artist, reveals that it took a very long time to develop the portrait because it is extremely detailed. However, he admits that if the job would have been twice as long, he would do it without a second thought. “Once I saw the photograph, I knew immediately that it was just what I needed – the perfect light, the look and the movement that’s so characteristic of Haralds. It was a tremendous responsibility for me to be portraying him, because only recently we were standing by the stage singing along to his gorgeous songs. I see Haralds as an extraordinary phenomenon in Latvian music and – without getting bogged down in terminology – as a rock star. And that’s how I portrayed him,” says A. Paulausks.

In the beginning, the work of decorating the car carrier was no plain sailing, because the author of the photo deemed most suitable, which was come upon online, needed to be found. A big thank you to our friends who helped us do it! It turns out that Haralds’ striking portrait, which will adorn one of the car carriers, was painted in Cēsis, his hometown. After a long search, thanks to Ilze Grunte, we managed to learn that the photographer is Mārtiņš Otto and the photo session took place in Fonoklubs, where Haralds was a frequent and special guest.

Jānis Sildniks, owner of Fonoklubs in Cēsis, says of his relationship with Haralds: “Fonoklubs in Cēsis established a relationship with Haralds Sīmanis as early as 2012, when the singer-songwriter stopped by for the opening concert of his album I am the Morning (Es esmu rīts). Unfortunately, in autumn 2022, the presentation of his album In circles (Pa apli) at Fonoklubs turned out to be his last concert, which came to close in a cosy and soulful atmosphere with the audience singing along to the song “Lake” (“Ezers”). It is vital to honour our heroes, and Haralds Sīmanis is nothing less than a hero of the Latvian stage, so we are happy about Kurbads initiative to keep Sīmanis alive both musically and, in this case, visually.”

This is only further proof that the great man and his wonderful heart is cherished all over and honoured in the hearts of countless people. We hope that this serves as yet another way to immortalise Haralds’ spirit and pay respects to his character for a long time to come, so that everyone can feel his kind presence whenever they see our car carrier.

We trust that Haralds’ fortitude will protect us and his wisdom will accompany our drivers on their long journeys across the highways of Europe. Perhaps one day his image will be the stuff of legends, and passers-by will ask “Who is this big man possessing the energy of a mighty spirit?” It is no coincidence that Haralds used to say of himself that he is known by many, but truly understood only by a few.

The fate of the human soul is to depart, but the light and warmth it leaves behind remain and live on forever. May the light of Haralds show the way in the darkest nights, and may the vigour of his spirit accompany us on our journey and protect all drivers, watching on from above.

Crazy Horse is back! Reborn in a new form and returns to the fleet with the number #115. “Crazy Horse” is entrusted to the driver Valdis Repše. Valdis has driven the 71st truck carrier, whose cabin was also decorated with a portrait of Crazy Horse, which we first designed in 2012. The connection between the driver and his vehicle is important and Valdis has also found a connection with the famous Indian warrior. “Valdis is a charge of energy in Kurbads. Valdis is always open to new adventures and challenges. His fearless pursuit of his goals is the reason why we entrust the car carrier to him, especially decorated with the image of the Indian tribal leader Crazy Horse!” comments head of logistics Toms Hartmanis.

The previous car carrier was equipped with a “Variotrans” type trailer, while the new Mercedes-Benz Actros is equipped with an “Intago” type trailer, which allows loading wider and heavier cars. We choose to equip the new trucks with additional safety platform, creating safe loading conditions for the drivers. Thanks to excellent ergonomics, many practical features included in the standard equipment, technologies and driver-oriented design – the high cab of the Actros is created for the comfort of drivers.

Crazy Horse (born around 1840, died on September 5, 1877) was one of the principal chiefs of the Sioux Indians and a war leader of the Oglala group of the Lakota. He led a rebellion against the United States federal government, defending Native American lands from the encroachment of white settlers while striving to preserve the traditional way of life of the Lakota people. Crazy Horse participated in several notable battles during what is known as the Black Hills War, in the Great Plains region of North America, in what is now the state of Montana. In 1866, in a battle known as the "Fetterman Fight," Crazy Horse demonstrated exceptional strategy, performing deceptive maneuvers and pretending to be a lightly wounded decoy to distract the enemy and lead them into a trap. On June 17, 1876, with over 1,200 warriors, Crazy Horse helped defeat General George Crook at the Battle of Rosebud. Eight days later, he played a key role in defeating the 7th Cavalry Regiment in the legendary Battle of Little Bighorn. This victory earned him great respect from both his enemies and his people.

“I can’t sit on my laurels for long, I carefully observe the trends and technologies of car designs all over the world, that’s why I offer more and more complicated solutions to my partners. The Kurbads company is also growing and developing, and together we are slowly developing an understanding of what the new car carriers should look like. I am truly grateful to the company for the trust and the opportunity to realize my ideas and abilities. As a result, with the graphic design of the car carriers, I think we can compete with the world’s best models and Kurbads can present itself at international car shows with its head held high. The last two car carriers – Aleksandrs Laime and Crazy Horse, differ in that the surface of the bodywork is already 100% covered with the design and also in the fact that yellow, which is the second corporate color of Kurbads, is used more and more boldly in the images of the characters. Yellow is the opposite color of blue, so using this color makes the graphics more lively and expressive. In short, we fight the Latvian shyness and become more and more courageous!” comments artist Alfreds Paulausks.

The cabin of the 114th trucker is decorated by the legendary Latvian businessman, explorer and adventurer - Aleksandrs Laime. In search of gold and diamonds, Laime became the first person in the world to reach and discover the Angel Falls in Venezuela, going through the jungle. He first came to Canaima in 1942 and lived there all his life, developing tourism.

His insatiable thirst for adventure was fueled by fascinating novels, travelogues and descriptions. Laime started traveling around Europe as a teenager, then returned to Riga. Despite the start of the Second World War, Laime was able to reach Africa through England and Spain and travel all the way to Cape Town. In 1940, he went ashore in Venezuela near Caracas. There he got a job as a topographer and began the most important phase of his life. Between 1949 and 1955, Laime got to know the little-known jungle and mountain areas of Venezuela both by himself and as part of various expeditions.

The "bees" of the main work of "Kurbads" are our drivers-forwarders who, like Aleksandrs Laime, go on adventures every day.

The officer and colonel of the Latvian riflemen - Frīdrihs Briedis. He did not seek loud fame or great political moves, but he did his strategically important work perfectly and he taught people to get behind him. Self-sacrifice, steadfast character, heroism in battles and ideological conviction – these are the features that characterized Frīdrihs Briedis. Colonel taught his men not to put their heads over their homeland, but to win the battle.

Folklorist Inese Krūmiņa, the leader of truckers' initiations, tells more about the initiation ritual: "Everything new is well forgotten old, because in ancient times no serious event was carried out without initiation. The Kurbads collective has also had its own characteristic rituals for a long time - consecrating new things. Even though they are more oriented towards men and men's activities, the participation of ladies in them is not missing either. While the men play with power in the bear dance, the ladies, whose intention is to beautify the world, this life, actively participate in the beautification of the branched cross - the sign of the fire cross. In the bear dance, the men received energy from each other, which was transferred to the main bear himself, and he, adding this energy, passes it on to the driver. May it go smoothly, may it always be in the right place and time."

His real name is Fricis Brēde, or Frīdrihs Briedis, born on February 7, 1888 in Lovaža Parish, Polockas County, Vitebskas Governorate. He also started school in his native Lovaža. Returning to Daugavpils in 1906, he entered the St. Petersburg Vladimir military school. Because of his outstanding tactical abilities, he was appointed sergeant major in his senior year. He was wounded several times while participating in the battles of the 1st World War. He did not seek loud fame, he did not seek great political moves, but he did his strategically important work perfectly, and he taught people to get behind him. Self-sacrifice and heroism, steadfast character, heroism in battles and ideological conviction - these are the features that characterized Frīdrihs Briedis. He had a spirit and an unyielding will. The colonel is widely known for his personal leadership of reconnaissance, as well as his strongly disapproving attitude towards the adherence of a large part of the archers to the leading ideology of the time. His fighting spirit and steadfastness lived on for a long time in our archers and in the generations of the living.

Latvian colonel and the commander of 1st Latvian Independent Battalion - Oskars Kalpaks. He stood up for the desire of the entire nation to get rid of foreign power in the battles of freedom, just as the strongman Kurbads fought against evil. The colonel has become a symbol of faith in one's own strength and confidence in one's country.

As usual, the cabins of the new car carriers are adorned with symbols of Latvian strength, and the large cabins feature depictions of legends, inspiring personalities, and significant fighters whose values and perspectives align with those of Kurbads.

This Mercedes-Benz Actros car carrier also has a large cabin, following European trends to provide greater comfort for long-distance drivers. The size of the cabins allows us to also express ourselves visually.

The traditional car carrier consecration was conducted under the leadership of folklorist Inese Krūmiņa, with this occasion featuring participation from the men of the folklore group "Vilkači," who marked the debut of the new car carrier with their songs.

Latvian symbols of strength have been a recurring feature on Kurbads car carriers, appearing several times, though each depiction has been unique and never repeated. The 111th car carrier is an exception in this series. Gints Murevics will take over as the driver of this new carrier. He was chosen not by coincidence but due to his previous experience driving the 77th carrier, which was fitted with a "Variotrans" type trailer. The new carrier comes equipped with an "Intago" type trailer, suitable for wider cars.

"Gints has established himself handling exclusive and sports cars, typically much wider than usual. His dedication, continuous desire to improve, and commitment to Kurbads' growth made him the ideal candidate for the new carrier," explained Toms Hartmanis, the logistics department manager.

Notably, the Latvian hero, Colonel Oskars Kalpaks, depicted on the side of the 77th truck, has traveled hundreds of thousands of kilometers with the driver Gints Murevics. Oskars Kalpaks is also the first depicted character who has been with the driver and now graces the sides of the 111th truck carrier. Together with the driver Gints, the legacy and story of the Latvian hero, Colonel Oskars Kalpaks, will be carried further in the world.

First ever car carrier with the portrait of O. Kalpaks in 2012:

Latvian adventurer and Australian crocodile hunter Arvīds Blūmentāls, or Crocodile Harry, is an eccentric adventure storyteller whose stories can be listened over and over again.

This time, the fleet is supplemented by a new truck equipped with a large driver's cabin for improved comfort. Kurbads knows that providing comfortable working conditions for its drivers is very important to ensure a consistently high quality of service to its customers.

Every new truck added to the fleet undergoes a traditional initiation to ensure its journey is long, safe, and successful. This event also serves as an opportunity for all the "Kurbads" team to gather together and view for the first time the hero or legend illustrated on the truck's cab. It is at this moment that the story chosen to adorn the truck is introduced and shared with the world.

Arvīds Blūmentāls was born in Dundaga in 1925 but emigrated to Australia in 1951 after World War II. He arrived in North Queensland in 1956 with a new occupation and later a profession; Arvids began hunting and selling crocodiles. The dangers of crocodiles are well known to all, so crocodile hunters have often become celebrities throughout Australia, known for their courage and skills. His adventures and hunter’s stories are part of Australian “bush” folklore. Blūmentāls documented his adventures in the books “Latvian Crocodile Hunter in Australia” (1957) and “Long After the Sun” (1958). He is said to have caught at least 10,000 to 40,000 crocodiles during his career as a crocodile hunter. Arvīds Blūmentāls also served as the inspiration for Paul Hogan’s Crocodile Dundee film franchise in the 1980s. He later moved to the world opal mining capital of Coober Pedy. He became an opal hunter, setting up his legendary underground home, which is also seen in the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Arvīds’ legend grew throughout Europe thanks to dozens of documentaries, including the 1995 Harry the Crocodile, which strengthened his cult status in Latvia, and the mention of Lonely Planet Australia gave Arvīds a steady stream of visitors. Arvīds Blūmentals died in 2006 at the age of 80, but his spirit and legend continue to live on.

Kurbads 109th carrier is handed over to driver Māris Labarevics, who is also from Dundaga. "Confidence, determination, and competence are the words that characterize Māris as a driver. He received the Kurbads Best Driver award in 2021 and has proven himself in the “Kurbads” team and in the fleet,” says Toms Hartmanis, Kurbads head of logistics.

Freedom monument "Milda" energy of freedom and feminine wisdom. Milda is an unmistakable and lasting symbol in the history of Latvia. The idea of the symbol of freedom, which was built in memory of those who fell in the Latvian freedom struggle, holding the symbols of three stars in their hands, goes hand in hand with the values of the "Kurbads" company - the statehood of Latvia, the unity of the Latvian people, independence and a symbol of freedom.

Artist and design author Alfreds Paulausks admits that he was initially unable to visually see the representation of the Freedom Monument in this format. Realizing how important it is for "Kurbads" to implement this idea and bring the message to the world, Alfreds started work on examining, sketching and framing various options. Alfreds also mentions that the most difficult part of the technical process is transferring the design from the computer program to the trailer to look exactly like the artist's sketch.

"Kurbads" is very pleased to hand over the 108th truck carrier with the symbol of freedom directly to the driver Guntars Beitāns, who has been part of the company for more than ten years. The company owner Andis Pikāns wishes that when people see the 108th truck on the roads of Europe, they ask the trailer driver Guntars Beitāns about it, who knows what this symbolism means, thus increasing the understanding of the story behind the words "For the Motherland and Freedom!".

The fueler of the eternal flame of the fire, the origin and foundation of all. Latvian mythological fighter and strongman, son of a mare, Kurbads, whose strong energy has been with the company all these years.

As usual, the car design was created by the artist Alfreds Paulausks. He admits that creating a character without knowing what he looks like was a difficult task. "Thanks to the visualizations of the artist Ieva Kauliņa, who depicted the character of Kurbads for the rock opera "Kurbads - Son of a mare" by the Latvian heavy metal group Skyforger, the deceased Latvian superhero Kurbads was revived after twenty-five years and has now become visible on one of the truckers. I realized that I wanted to go even further and portray him so realistically that he visually came out of the plane and looked into our eyes. I hope that I have succeeded," A. Paulausks does not hide his satisfaction.

The hero of the 13th century, the king of Zemgale (“Land of the Semigallians”) and the leader of the freedom struggle - Namejs. Namejs is celebrated for his bravery, leadership and his efforts to unite the various Baltic tribes against the Teutonic Knights. Symbol of national unity, resistance, and the fight for independence.

"Namejs is a historical figure, which in my view is a very good character, because he is a person who has become a folk legend. Not every nation has such a hero. The combination of the characters of Namejs and Kurbads is very strong, because Kurbads is a fairy-tale character that has no real prototype, but Namejs is a historical figure, which gives the legend of Namejs a special appeal, with which we can all identify," says folklorist Inese Krūmiņa.

Sigita and Renārs Jakobsoni are the first double crew to get the chance to drive this new car carrier, so Renārs is ceremonially commissioned as a warrior with the sword of Namejs, while Sigita is given the role of godmother, presenting the ring.

Anatolii Vasiliev - Kurbads driver mentor, who drove the very first Kurbads car carrier many years ago, also has his own comment about "Namejs" drivers: "Renārs and Sigita Jakobsoni are the perfect dynamic duo, our only double crew. As a married couple and also as work colleagues, they get along very well. We have known Renārs for a very long time - he started with the 40th car carrier, then continued with Crazy Horse, but now he and Sigita have been entrusted with the hundredth anniversary trucker. I would like to commend the order in the cabin to this crew - it is definitely the best among all colleagues. Professionalism, experience and communication are the three pillars that characterize these drivers. Fuel economy is also always top notch. They also use all available technologies with great interest, so I think they will feel very comfortable in the new truck. Hats off to them and keep it up!”

Kurbads service manager Ivars Čiblis has an extensive list of improvements in the new Mercedes-Benz Actros: "Visually, it is a completely new car, both from the outside and from the cabin. Because of the large cabin here, we had the option of a larger engine - a 12.8-liter diesel engine with 480 hp, which will help fuel economy and engine sustainability. It will be the most powerful car in our fleet."

"In addition to displays, there are other technologies such as mirrors - a new multimedia control panel, a multi-functional steering wheel, a touch-sensitive panel. This is designed to improve the driver's ergonomics and allow him to focus on the road. The system allows you to copy the car's speed that is in front of you, allowing you to keep even speed and distance between vehicles. There is also an improved system that memorizes the road profile, cornering angles. You can feel that a lot of thought has been given to the driver's work!"