Italian saddle manufacturer Selle Italia has purchased a majority share of rival saddle company Selle San Marco, reports the Il Gazzettino website.
Giuseppe Bigolin, chairman of Selle Italia, says: “We now own more than 50 percent of Selle San Marco, a project we’ve been working on for some time with the Girardi family.
The 100% family owned company and with a turnover of €23 million, Selle Italia, which has acquired more than 50 percent of its rival company, resulting in a combined turnover of €30 million following the acquisition.
The two saddle manufacturers will continue to operate as separate companies, for the time being, but it’s likely the partnership will mean shared resources, especially for research and development.
“By bringing together all our know-how and patents we’ll definitely improve,” says Bigolin. As well as sharing similar names, the two brands are based in Rossano Veneto, which is also home to bicycle brand Wilier. Selle Italia.
High-end saddle manufacturing has strong roots in Italy, with Italian saddle brands enjoying a large share of the market. It’s claimed that the new combined business will have more than half of the global market for high-end saddles.
The making of saddles is one of the few cycling components still made in the country, whereas much of the frame building business has shifted to the Far East.
The two saddle brands are responsible for some of the most iconic road cycling saddles. San Marco’s most popular saddle models include the Concor, Aspide and Regale. Familiar Selle Italia saddles include the Turbomatic, Flite and, of course, the SLR.
Race you there!
Those calipers arent the prettiest. Makes them look like Post-mount.
No thanks...you can keep your mini cars off my bike lanes. I want the scooters (petrol and electric) off as well.
Yep: "Are REVOLOOP bicycle tubes suitable for rim brakes?...
I'm all for a much more socialist approach to the sorts of things you mention, where there are clear market failures and a need for decent...
Zorbing balls - if it saves just one life
12 corners in just over 2km is a terrifying prospect if it rains!
I think it's:...
As it's often said -'the way to justify the building of a bridge is not too count the number of people swimming the crocodile infested river!'
I used to go that way to work. It's nasty and congested. I doubt any changes will make the congestion worse.