Kessels was a Belgian bicycle manufacturer (I say was because my internet searches have not come up with any evidence that the company still exists).
They are probably best known amongst classic cycle enthusiasts for making bikes for Eddy Merckx and for making Eddy Merckx branded bikes in the 1970s – some of which were high-end racing bikes, generally well thought of (I shall be adding one to this site) and some distinctly low-end bikes too.
But information on the company is hard to come by. I would be really pleased if someone out there can give me any information on the company – who started it and when; where they were located; what their production volume was; scans of catalogues; anything.
Just about all I have discovered is that it was owned by a man called Kessels and the company acquired the Alcyon and Main d’Or brands and made Eddy Merckx bikes. Not a lot.
There’s not a lot of information around in the web. But there is a Kessels Group in the Flickr Community. There you’ll find at least a little bit of knowledge. Not so much about founding, definitely no catalogues but something on Kessels’s philosophy.
Thank you very much for your input. It is surprising that there is so little information when so many people like their bikes.