Carniti started out in Oggiono, Lombardia, as a spinning mill, founded in 1923 by Arturo Carniti under the name Meccaniche Tessili Oggionesi Magnoni e Carniti.

There had initially been a plan to also focus on motorcycle manufacture but anticipating the coming boom in the market this soon gave way to the production of marine outboard engines. An agreement was reached with Pietro Vassena, the multi-faceted inventor from Lecco, who right after the end of the Second World War had already designed the first Italian outboard engine. Vassena brought with him his trademark Elios, as well as the patents and assembly systems for his engines. 

In 1953 the company debuted at the Milan Boat Show as Officine Fonderie A. Carniti & C. with the F.B. Elios presenting 50, 80 and 160 models.

At the 1954 Boat Show these same engines were reintroduced with new names: 4 HP Calabrone, 2.5HP Libellula, 10HP Storione and Sephir  twin cylinders. There were changes to the graphics and colours and the definitive Carniti trademark .