Selle Italia has acquired a majority share in Selle San Marco. Selle is Italian for saddle.

Italian saddle companies combine

Italian saddle manufacturer Selle Italia has acquired the majority of shares in Selle San Marco. Selle is the Italian for saddle. Selle Italia is owned by the Bigolin family

Announcing the news on the Selle Italia website a company statement said: "The Giuseppe Bigolin family sets off again at full tilt.

Selle Italia was founded in 1897. Selle San Marco was founded in 1935 by the Girardi family, which until now still owned the company.

"Giuseppe Bigolin [is bringing] together the two oldest and most famous brands in the history of Italian cycling in order to benefit from a high level of industrial synergy," said a company statement.

The two brands will continue to operate independently but sales and R&D will merge.

Selle Italia has an turnover of €23m, and with the addition of its rival company will boost its turnover by €7m.

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