Oberalp Group, the Italy-based parent of Salewa, Dynafit, Pomoca, Wild Country, Evolv, and LaMunt, has appointed Chief Sales Officer Stefan Rainer as its new CEO. The moves comes as part of a planned transition. He succeeds Christoph Engl, who has led the Bolzano-based group since 2018.
Rainer, who becomes CEO effective effective October 1, has been with the company for more than 20 years, serving as CSO for the last six years. According to the Oberalp Group, Rainer during this time has “worked in almost all areas of the company, from marketing to product management, at various levels of responsibility.”
Engl will support the management as a “Senior Advisor” from January 1 of next year and will in future “take care of special projects of the Oberalp Group, such as the entire area of international licenses of the Oberalp brands in Asia,” according to a statement.
The appointment is part of a wider generational handover. Ruth Oberrauch became president of the family-owned business on June 1, succeeding her father, founder Heiner Oberrauch.
Oberlap said on LInkedIn of the CEO change, “These are the final days of Christoph Engl as CEO of Oberalp before he hands over to Stefan Rainer on October 1st.
“A change like this is never just about a new title or position. It is about people, the years you have shared, the things you have built together and also the things you have learned along the way.
“Christoph, thank you for the energy, curiosity and commitment you have brought to Oberalp over the past eight years – and for shaping a chapter that will remain an important part of our story.
“For the inspiration, the new perspectives and, yes, also the challenges you brought to our organisation – encouraging people to grow, both as professionals and as individuals.
“Yesterday was a moment to celebrate the past, appreciate the present and look towards the future – together with the people who make Oberalp what it is.
“And Stefan, welcome to what comes next. A new chapter brings new perspectives, new challenges, and new opportunities. We are looking forward to taking this journey together.
“The mountain continues to lead us all. And that will never change.”
Images courtesy Oberalp Group
