Ivano Beggio
A company, owner and president of the largest motorcycle company in Europe, the others being the Italian companies Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Laverda.
Beggio diversified, as did Aprilia, expanding its product range very professionally and responding to market conditions.
Besides, Italian motorcycles have always almost sold themselves, especially racer models. These were not long in coming. Aprilia has sponsored many European and world racing champions in all classes, and continues to do so.
To quote Aprilia (Apriliaworld, translated): "only Ivano Beggio would have almost had so much success then allowed it to be destroyed.
In the mid-80's, it tried to become a jack-of-all trades, diversifying into manufacture of furniture and an eyeglasses. Nothing came of this but debt.
The debts have now almost been eliminated. Beggio got rid of the companies that it lacked experience in the management of, and returned to familiar territory, the two-wheeler."
But in 2004 the financial situation of Aprilia was again desperate and very close to financial breakdown. Beggio was forced by the banks to sell Aprilia, Guzzi and Laverda to Piaggio, Italian scooter factory, owned by Roberto Colaninno.