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Bitelli was an engineering company located in Bologna, Italy - the largest and, perhaps best known, Italian construction machinery firm. Beppino Bitelli produced his first three wheel roller in 1933 although it was not until 1957 that the Bitelli Road Mechanics company was formed. Tandem rollers were soon added and In 1969 the first single drum rollers were manufactured. In 1978 Bitelli built its first paving machine and, during the 1980s, road profilers and soil stabilizers were added to the line of road machines.
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Shareholder company
In 1980 Bitelli became a shareholder company and the five brothers and sisters took over control of the business. These were Gino Bitelli, Romolo Bitelli, Alessandro Bitelli, Luisa Bitelli and Maria Giovanna Bitelli. In 1995 Bitelli was divided into four main product categories across 5 continents and 45 countries.
Sale to Caterpillar
On 2 May 2000 Bitelli was sold to Caterpillar and the Bitelli name disappeared from construction machinery. Some models were continued in the Caterpillar line such as the 200LE Cold Planner. But most others were discontinued including the road rollers and most of the asphalt pavers.