Motori Minarelli
Minarelli is an Italian motorcycle engine manufacturer. It is part of the Yamaha group.
History
Minarelli was founded in Bologna in 1951. It was originally a motorcycle manufacturer but also began to build mopeds in 1954. Two years later it switched exclusively to 2-stroke engine manufacture. A new 2000 square metre factory was opened for these purposes. It employed 20 technicians and produced about 25,000 engines a year. These were sold to companies in Italy, other parts of Europe and South America. [1]
In 1967 the company changed its name to Motori Minarelli and opened a new plant in Calderara di Reno. By the 1970s engine production had reached 250,000 units a year. The company also entered motorcycle racing and won a number of titles.[1]
Yamaha
In 1990 the company began a business relationship with Yamaha. Five years later it employed 350 people and engine production had reached 450,000 units a year. In 2002 Motori Minarelli became member of the Yamaha Group. .[1]