In a message dated 4/13/2001 2:34:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, monkey37@bluemarble.net writes:
<< Did they have a just a warehouse, or were they an incorporated company? My information comes from industry stuff from '89. I remember a press release from around that time about the creation of Campys US branch. >>
There was no "Campagnolo USA" prior to the mid 1970s.... Campagnolo was imported directly by various distributors, who in turn sold it to dealers, who in turn sold it to the public. Campagnolo maintained an agent/sales person who facilitated deliveries, but Campy did not warehouse the product here in the states themselves.
Much like the setup we have now, in fact.
In the mid 1970s, a company named Campagnolo USA was set up. It was in Texas and extensively warehoused Campagnolo product as well as that of their "partners," Alpina spokes, Clement tires, Nisi rims, Cinelli bars & stems and Columbus tubing. Together this assemblage was known as the ULTIMA group. This was really the hey day economically for Campagnolo. Conspicuous support personnel (Bill Woodul) and a fancy van were at all the major USA races.. Frame builders had direct accounts with Campy for tubing and components.. It was hot cheese!
Then (when? early 1990s? Richard Sachs can surely remember) declining sales and big overhead caused Campagnolo USA to close it's doors and everything thing went back to getting stuff direct from Italy again.
I think the saddest part (which was inevitable anyway due too changing product) was the loss of easy parts replacement. Most really good shops (like CDO!) had a special set of drawers in which they had Campy rear derailleur pivot bolts and springs and brake washers, etc., etc. The cool thing was to be able to maintain and to replace any little part on your Campag GS, NR or SR set..
Of course Tullio passed away, Valentino launched a bunch of ill tested and ill conceived new stuff to establish himself as the new genius (and failed, IMO!) and mountain bike stuff crowded into dealers stores... Dura Ace literally kicked Campys butte in "click shifting" and things collapsed for Campy's dominance.....
Dale Brown cycles de ORO, Inc. 1406 West Northwood Street Greensboro, North Carolina 27408 336-274-5959 fax 336-274-6360 <A HREF="http://www.cyclesdeoro.com">cycles de ORO Bike Shop</A> <A HREF="http://www.classicrendezvous.com">Classic Rendezvous Vintage Bicycles </A>