Raimondi
1899 -
The origins of RCM S.p.a. (Raimondi Construzione Macchine), as it is called today, go back to the end of the last century and are closely linked to the Raimondi family. In 1899, in Parma, Ippolito Raimondi, the paternal grandfather of RCM's present owners, produced and marketed a complete range of 'modern bicycles' under the trademark of Cypselus. Some models, like the 'chainless bicycle' with universal cardan shaft transmission or the 'novelty holiday bicycle' with different sized wheels, show how production was intent on finding innovative technical solutions. At this time (1899) Ippolito was also representing the Ditta Societa Italiana Bernardi di Padova which manufactured some of the most revolutionary automobiles that were then available. Just think, Fiat was founded in the same year, 1899.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Ippolito moved to Modena, to Carrozzeria Orlandi, which was also established in 1899, where he was put in charge of developing the design construction of an automobile. Bicycle production continued for a few more years under one of Ippolito's four sounds, Romeo. This went on until he too moved to Modena where he worked, first at the Gatti shell factory (1915-1918) and then for a short while in an automobile repair shop. In 1922 Romeo, with his partner Malagoli, set up the MR company to build motorcycles. In 1925 MR produced three versions of motorbikes with TRAIN motors: 98 and 123 cc with 'Raimondi type' gradual gears which, as the advertisement announced ' lets you start from stationary as efficiently as with the best clutch'. Between 1926 and 1928 about 100 motorcycles were produced.
In 1928 the company changed its name and the new Officina Meccanica Romeo Raimondi went into production of industrial motors. Initially these were two-stroke and then, in 1932, four stroke. In 1934 the RC Company of Raimondi and Caiumi was producing 13 types of pump motors for irrigation. Some of these used diesel engines of 6, 10 and 15 CV. 1935 saw the start of Seacraft Motors which were a main feature of the company until the mid-sixties. During this thirty-year period more than 20 models of diesel engines were built, from 10 to 100 CV, which were used in various kinds of military seacraft, recreation boats and, especially, fishing boats covering a market that went down the Adriatic coast and included all of Sicily.
In tandem with the production of marine motors, 37 different types of industrial motors were also developed from 8 to 80 CV, air or water-cooled, for various different uses. These included tractors, earth-moving machinery, internal transport, etc. After the war production of complete machines started and these were obviously equipped with RC motors. In 1946 the first Tractor was produced by using parts from the war which had 40 CV motors.
In the 1950's many of the components were produced in-house: pistons, bushings etc. and already, since before the war, RC had been among the first diesel engine constructors. At the beginning of the fifties, RC developed advanced technology (motors with head valves) and was competing successfully with production from the giant Fiat.
The Leprotto with its 4 CV diesel engine was used for material handling in furnaces during this period. In 1952/1953 production of the company's battle horse the Bruco began. It was entirely constructed at the company. This was a very imaginative machine featuring four drive wheels and tires that could become tracks, but with no differential. Over twenty years it was produced in four versions the 40, 45, 50 and 80 CV. Then, in 1956, the production of the R4 (35 CV) was started. This was also a four wheel model with tires that could become tracks and was marketed by F.lli Rossi of Bologna. Three versions were produced the 15, 25 and 35 CV. Besides this, which was their main production, RC continued with their creative spirit producing a series of specialized machines, including 50 and 80 CV motorized snowploughs which were used initially by ANAS at the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympics. One of these machines is still used at RCM S.p.a. during especially heavy snowfalls. The P2 Loader was built following the Bruco concept for use on building sites and in iron mines. The L2 Motor Grader (1964) with 60 CV T 360 diesel engine was also based on the Bruco designed with four wheel drive.
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