Václav Klement

From the age of 14 he worked manual jobs, but was also a good student, and became an apprentice in a bookshop in the town of Slaný while finishing his secondary studies.

[1] Together with Václav Laurin, Klement started a business repairing bicycles, based on Klement's business acumen and Laurin's technical knowledge.

In 1899 they went on to produce motorcycles, which were sold both domestically and on the international market, and used in sport competitions.

[3] : 76 Soon the company stopped producing bicycles to focus on the production of motorcycles.

In 1905 the company started making cars, and in 1907 it expanded, registered on the stock exchange, and stopped motorcycle production.