Clément Cycles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Founder | Adolphe Clément |
| Headquarters | Levallois-Perret, Paris , France |
| Products | Bicycles, tricycles, quadricycles, motorized bicycles, automobiles, motorcycles |
Clément Cycles, also known as La Société des Vélocipédes Clément and Clément & Cie, was a French manufacturer of bicycles established by the industrialist Adolphe Clément (later known as Clément-Bayard). Starting from a small bicycle repair shop in Bordeaux, the enterprise expanded to a workshop in Paris and eventually developed into large-scale production at a state-of-the-art facility located in Levallois-Perret, Paris. The company became renowned for combining effective marketing strategies with superior craftsmanship.
History
At 21 years old, after two years engaged in cycle racing and saving money, Clément-Bayard inaugurated a bicycle repair shop in Bordeaux in 1876. He subsequently moved to Marseille to acquire expertise in manufacturing steel tubing for bicycles. The following year, he transferred to Lyon, where he began producing complete bicycles branded as 'Clément SA cycles'.
Clément cycles
Around 1878, Adolphe Clément relocated to Paris and established A. Clément & Cie at 20 Rue Brunel, close to Place de l'Etoile. Alongside managing the business, he operated a cycling school and participated in competitive racing. His financial supporters in Paris included monsieur de Graffenried and monsieur de Montgeron.
By late 1878, Clément formed a partnership with cycling champion Charles Terront during the 'Six-Days' event held in London. He opened a retail showroom at 31 rue du 4-September in Paris and initiated a pioneering poster advertising campaign.
In September 1879, Clément constructed an iron smelting facility in Tulle, Limousin, utilizing the area's water power resources. Due to limited capital and the site's distance from Paris, he eventually sold this plant.
By 1880, his bicycle manufacturing operation on Rue Brunel employed approximately 150 workers dedicated to producing high-quality cycles. By the decade's end in 1890, Clément had become the foremost cycle brand in France.
Clément-Gladiator cycles
In 1896, holding profitable manufacturing rights for Dunlop tyres within France, Clément joined forces with a syndicate led by Dunlop founder Harvey Du Cros to acquire the Gladiator Cycle Company. This acquisition was merged with Clément's existing business and Humber & Co Limited to form a significant bicycle manufacturing conglomerate named Clement, Gladiator & Humber & Co Limited.
The product lineup broadened to include tricycles, quadricycles, and by 1902 had expanded into motorized bicycles, followed by automobiles and motorcycles.