viner
| Viner - a family passion |
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The history of VINER is one which dates back many years. It's the history of a passion, a family and a company which has continued to create and manufacture bicycles from one generation to the next. Viviano Nerozzi was born to a modest family of sharecroppers in the countryside around Pistoia. Most of his childhood was spent outdoors, in the fields, immersed in the natural surroundings which he was to love his entire life. As a very young man he joined the armed anti-fascist Resistance movement in the 'Partisan Brigades' around Pistoia. In recognition of those distant happenings, the 'Patriot's Certificate' with which he was awarded by General Harold Rupert Alexander, commander-in-chief of the Allied Armed Forces in Italy, still hangs today in the offices of Viner. Following the dark years of the war, young Viviano, who had proven to be inventive and enterprising from a very young age, decided to open a shop selling bicycles and scooters near to the Pistoia town centre. His passion for bicycles soon took over and in 1947, Viviano decided to found VINER, which takes its initials from his name and surname, and to produce sturdy, high-quality utility bicycles himself. The reconstruction years following the war were tough, but Viviano believed firmly in the strength of his product and succeeded in making his brand known, first locally and then on a regional level. One often hears that behind every great man there is a great woman. This was never more true than at Viner. With her elegant yet discreet presence, Neda Bargiacchi was always at her husband's side and shared both hard times and success together with Viviano. Neda is still present in the company today, where she teaches her love for a job which requires sacrifice and passion. During the Fifties, when the manufacturing premises were still dislocated in various places around the city, Viner started to approach the world of Racing, focusing on the high quality of its products from the very beginning. This was a winning choice which allowed Viviano to sponsor young companies and to make his own bicycles known even beyond the Tuscan borders. Meanwhile the Nerozzi family was expanding and the entrepreneur's two daughters, Franca and Manuela, were born: even today they continue to pursue that precious fund of professional reliability and great enthusiasm which has always been a distinct characteristic of their parents. Viner had already become a well-established brand in the high-range Italian bicycle market when it built its current headquarters at the foot of the green Pistoia hills in 1968. The Seventies was a crucial decade for the entrepreneurial and sporting history of the brand. With the professional racing team Furzi-Ft, thanks to athletes of the calibre of Conti and Polidori, Viner succeeded in making itself known to the general public in the ‘Giro d'Italia’. Thanks to its strength and dogged persistence, the company was able to successfully consolidate its market position in Europe, the US and Australia. In 1978, Viner was proud to climb onto the highest step of the 100 km team time trial at the amateur world championship chrono with the Dutch foursome. These years also saw the arrival of a young Cesare Baldi in the company, the husband of Manuela Nerozzi: the teachings he had received from his father-in-law Viviano helped him to become familiar and fall in love with the world of bicycles. The sporting and professional successes continued also into the Eighties. In addition to the success achieved in the ‘cadets’ category, on his Viner bicycle Marco Giovanetti was awarded the gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in the team time trial. In the amateur world, meanwhile, new trends were developing and the era of the Mountain Bike had begun. Viner understood that it was no passing fashion and invested resources and energy in its off-road models. Mountain Bikes revolutionized the whole concept of bicycles, which went from being a simple means of transportation to a true object for enjoyment and passion, bringing young people closer to the world on two wheels. In 1984, for his unquestionable entrepreneurial merits, Viviano Nerozzi was awarded the Honour of Knight of the Republic by President Pertini. At the end of the decade, the company structure expanded when Roberto Capaccioli, the husband of Franca Nerozzi, joined the company. Thanks to his forward-thinking approach he was the first to understand the importance of internet as a major new communications channel. Rodolfo Ceccarelli, the childhood friend of Cesare Baldi, also joined the company; his technical expertise, intuition and passion still today contribute to the success of the company. Technology evolved at a rapid pace and international competition was starting to make itself felt. Viner responded to the challenge of the Nineties by investing in research without forgetting the artisan soul of the company. Together with his collaborators, Viviano decided to abandon the economic side to dedicate himself completely to Italian made high-quality bicycles. It was a winning choice which led to Viviano being awarded with the Honour of Officer of the Republic by President Scalfaro in 1993. During the Nineties, Viner focused his efforts on top professional cycling teams. These years were unforgettable and successful, with Mapei, Navigare and Scrigno. In 1994, Viner and the entire cycling world suffered a terrible blow. Following a severe illness, the brilliant leader and founder of Viner, Viviano, passed away at the age of 69, leaving his "creature" in the hands of his loved ones. Today his memory continues to encourage the new generations to believe in his dream and to fight each day so that this can remain unaltered over time. The challenge of the new millennium was dealt with by Viner with those ingredients which Viviano taught to all his collaborators during his lifetime: passion, technological research, attention to detail, traditional workmanship. Viner believes in Italian made products and courageously continues to pursue the 'Made in Italy' concept in a millennium in which the efforts of a small Italian enterprise to tackle the global market are not always acknowledged. In 2002, a young Francesco Capaccioli, the son of Franca Nerozzi and Roberto Capaccioli joined the company. With his enthusiasm and a great desire to learn, he was immediately involved in the company management alongside his uncle, Cesare Baldi. In these years, Viner focused on the world of "gran fondo" bikes, a decision which has proved to be a winner also in this case. He takes part personally in many events, including the regular appointment at our famous ‘Tenda Rossa’ (Red Marquee), which gives the general public a chance to get to know the components of the company and appreciate its products. The company was also the first to create a factory team, of which Cesare Baldi became Honorary Chairman. Under the skilful direction of Team Manager Marco Silvagni, the Viner Team was and continues to be a source of great successes and victories. At the end of 2007, Viner and the cycling world in general suffered a nasty blow. Aged only 55, Cesare Baldi left us forever with the discretion and kindness which always distinguished his character. Together with Cesare, we did not only lose an exceptional General Manager but also a husband, a father, a brother-in-law, an uncle and a friend. It was not easy to start off again from where Cesare had left us with his enthusiasm. Like a real family, however, we huddled together and successfully carried on the Viner philosophy, remembering his words "Don't worry, everything will sort itself out". The most recent arrival in Viner is Serena Baldi, daughter of the late Cesare and of Manuela Nerozzi. The death of her father made Serena feel such a strong appeal for bicycles that she abandoned the legal career path she had begun. The year 2010 kicks off full of new ideas and passion for a product which conceals a long history made of many people who work at and believe in VINER every day. VINER… LET THE CHALLENGE CONTINUE!     |