Ben Lawee, who was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1926, immigrated to the United States on a freighter in his teens.
In the late 40’s, while attending Columbia University in New York, he worked at the bicycle shop of a Greek Cypriot, George Joannou, and subsequently moved to California as West Coast sales representative for Joannou Cycle Co.
1959 Ventures out on his own and buys the Jones Bicycle Shop in Long Beach, growing this single store into a multi-store chain.
In 1965 Ben sells the chain of stores and becomes national distributer for Bianchi, Motobecane and Raleigh.
 Bianchi |  Motobecane |  Raleigh |
Ben was constantly angered by bikes that were either too expensive or didn’t meet his customer’s requirements. He wanted robust, affordable bikes with innovative technology that were really fun to ride.
1970 Creates his own brand, Italvega. These bikes were designed and hand built by the Torresini workshop at the Torpado Factory in Padua, Italy. Translation is Italian star.
Mid 1970’s Since Ben was always searching for a higher standard of bicycle, he moves production to Japan contracting Miyata to build the bikes. He then changes the name to Univega (Universal star), using taglines “Discover the difference” and “Ride it your way”. Over the years, there were around 70 models produced.
1980 Produces the Bertoni line of bikes manufactured in Italy by Daccordi.
 Bertoni |
Ben was also credited with introducing one of the very first production mountain bikes available for less than $1000 in 1981. The first line was called the Alpina series of mountain bikes.
In 1985 Lawee moved Univega Headquarters to Signal Hill California in his new building designed by Randy Morris and Brian Corntassel of Phelps Morris Architects, Long Beach, CA. Univega now had a competitive look that would last another 11 years of success.
1996 Ben sell the Univega line to Raleigh and retires from the industry.
2018 After seeing the plans for re-introducing the as Univega USA with South Carolina bicycle assembly, the rights to the name were sold by a member of Lawee’s family to the Kamler family. Ben’s family was excited to pass on the legacy of Univega, knowing it would be in good hands