Italy’s Oberalp Group has appointed Ruth Oberrauch as president, effective June 1. She succeeds her father, Heiner Oberrauch.
Ruth Oberrauch, who founded the mountain sports brand LaMunt in 2022, will step away from the internal management of that brand to assume responsibility for the group’s full portfolio.
The Oberalp Group currently comprises 18 brands, including proprietary labels Salewa, Dynafit, LaMunt, Evolv, Wild Country, and Pomoca. It also operates as a European distribution partner for international brands Under Armour, Fischer, Bollé, and Blackroll.
Stepping into the leadership role, the company noted in a media release that “Ruth Oberrauch has chosen ‘Building Bridges’ as the guiding motto for her presidency, emphasizing that fostering partnerships, both internally within the company and externally, will be a central priority.”
“I see my role as a bridge builder because I know that this way I can give the Group a positive direction for the future. No one wins alone anymore; strategic partnerships are a key factor for success, both inside and outside the company,” stated Oberrauch.
Heiner Oberrauch will remain on the board of directors and focus on other business areas within the family portfolio. He said, “The next generation will do better than me, and this transition reflects our vision of conscious and responsible growth. Through careful planning and involving the family in governance, we aim to ensure stability, clarity in responsibilities, and the preservation of the fundamental values that have distinguished Oberalp Group for over forty years.”
The transition process will continue into the fall. On October 1, Stefan Rainer will assume the role of group CEO, succeeding Christoph Engl, who has served as group CEO since 2018. Engl will support Oberalp as a senior advisor starting in 2027.
The transition process also involves operational leadership.
Image courtesy Oberalp Group
