The End of Laverda?

THE END OF LAVERDA?

THE FUTURE OF LAVERDA, one of Italy's most prestigious marques, is very much in question following the collapse of The Zanini Group, which took over the company’s assets from the workers’ consortium that previously controlled the factory.

As the result of intervention by the Italian government following Zanini’s collapse, the company is under the control of a state-appointed bankruptcy commissioner, who has applied to local courts for a declaration that Laverda is bankrupt. If this declaration is made, anyone interested in the company could buy it free of accumulated debt. Also, the purchaser could apply to the court to have certain prior transactions affecting the company set aside by the court. This could allow a potential purchaser to reclaim the old Laverda factory at Breganze, which Zanini sold to the Diesel Jeans Group, sponsor last year of World Superbike racing. This deal, which was shrouded in some secrecy, directed proceeds of the sale to Domenico Zanini and the Zanini Group, not to Laverda.

In spite of firm orders for 500 new 650cc sportbikes, no new Laverdas have been built since the small initial batch of 650s were produced last year (see “Laverda 650,” Cycle World, October, 1992).

Former Laverda marketing manager Gianluca Lanaro and chief engineer Angelo Ferrari are attempting to drum up interest in a takeover under these financially favorable conditions, with the aim of getting the 650 sportbike into production.

Alan Cathcart