Paolo and Leonzio Marchand

The brothers Paolo and Leonzio Marchand were two youn businessmen of French origin who had a passion for cycling. The "Orio & Marchand" company, directed by the engineer Vittorio Amoretti, consistently increased its output of bicycles which were immediately successful for their quality. In September 1898, after relocating to Piacenza, the company opened for business with some ambitious programmes. It was to broaden its base adding the manufacture of motorcycles and automobiles to the production of bicycles.