With the goal of creating the first “Blister‑Free” mountain boot, Heiner Oberrauch, president of Oberalp, opened the Montebelluna production center in 2005. Here, tradition and innovation merge, and the “brain” behind the Group’s products resides.
On May 15, Oberalp celebrated the 20th anniversary of the launch of Salewa’s footwear division in Montebelluna, now considered the leading technical footwear and sporting goods district in Italy, also known as Sportsystem. To commemorate the occasion, the company organized a press trip for selected media—including Outdoor Magazine—who were guided through the plant by hosts Christoph Engl, CEO of Oberalp; Ruth Oberrauch, Vice‑President of the Group and founder of LaMunt; and Andrea Carraro, General Manager of the Footwear & Technical Equipment department. Evening festivities continued with a “family & friends” open house for Oberalp employees, who had the opportunity to tour the internal workspaces where their relatives work and where the products are created.
20 Years of History in Montebelluna
In 2005 Oberalp inaugurated the Footwear division, and the first Salewa shoe collection followed in 2006. Today, they also produce alpine climbing shoes, apparel accessories, technical hardware (such as carabiners), and Dynafit skimo boots at this location. Over the years, the Montebelluna district has evolved from a manufacturing hub into a highly specialized R&D center, globally recognized—especially for its Made in Italy output. Products are conceived locally (zero‑km), come with a lifetime guarantee, and are PFAS‑free. The facility now houses an innovative R&D lab equipped with cutting‑edge technologies, including 3D printers, and a dedicated quality control center.
Interview to Christoph Engl, CEO of Oberalp
Why did you choose Montebelluna twenty years ago for the footwear division?
The decision answered a precise business need. After expanding its range of technical products—originally backpacks, ice axes, and crampons—Salewa wanted to broaden its offering into mountain footwear. Our current president, who founded the company over forty years ago, posed a concrete question: how to eliminate the risk of blisters caused by uncomfortable mountain boots? Hence the revolutionary idea of “blister‑free” boots, designed to guarantee comfort and prevent blisters. To develop such an ambitious product, it was essential to start in a territory already a center of excellence in technical footwear. Montebelluna, recognized even then as the “Silicon Valley” of mountain boots, was the natural choice. Plus, its proximity to Bolzano—just two hours away—simplified logistics. Launching production here allowed us to tap into the know‑how, craftsmanship, and footwear culture rooted for generations in the area.
What was the main obstacle in such a specialized context?
Introducing innovations like new materials and construction techniques to guarantee blister‑free performance wasn’t easy. Initially, there was some resistance from local bootmakers, which is natural in highly specialized environments. Yet, those same contexts of deep expertise offered fertile ground for innovation. That’s how we created our mountain boot—unique, innovative, and truly designed for those who live in the mountains every day. Balancing culture, tradition, and professional expertise from history and experience with advanced ideas has always been a core value of our company. Our goal was always to question whether what we envisioned could really be made—and often, what initially seemed impossible became reality.
How was your arrival perceived by established local companies?
We operate in a highly local context, where expertise is intertwined in almost a family‑like environment. Being a family‑run business was an advantage: the typical Venetian sense of familiarity fostered mutual understanding, and integration happened naturally. In fact, we were welcomed with open arms and still are today. Over the last twenty years, a very strong bond has formed between Salewa and the Veneto region, especially Montebelluna. Today we have numerous personal and professional relationships that were forged over time. In a way, it was like “graduating” to become somewhat Montebelluna natives ourselves.
Is there collaboration among the companies of Sportsystem for the benefit of the market?
Yes, we are competitors, but in Montebelluna everyone knows each other. There is strong awareness of working in a highly specialized sector with a specific target. For that reason, specialists often understand each other easily and know that only by joining forces can we achieve significant results. This district has a precious asset: skilled labor.
How do you act to support and replenish it?
We know well how important it is to preserve local craftsmanship. Some skills are at risk of disappearing—CAD modelers or traditional seamstresses are increasingly hard to find. So together with other local companies, we have formed a group aimed at reevaluating and making these professions attractive again to younger generations. Montebelluna truly is not only the Silicon Valley of technical footwear, but increasingly also of apparel. Today we can count on an ecosystem of valuable skills essential for product development, and these capabilities must be preserved for the future.
What is produced at the Montebelluna plant?
Historically, this area was known as a footwear manufacturing center. Over time, however, production shifted to places like Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and so on. Essentially, the “body” of production moved, but the “brain” stayed here. Despite this shift, many materials still come from Veneto. For example, even if today we produce our shoes in a factory in Romania, the leather and other materials still arrive from Venetian suppliers. The reason is simple: Italian quality is unique and internationally recognized. We accumulated long experience and have managed to keep an important part of the supply chain active—the “ingredients” coming from Veneto. An important exception is the Dynafit ski boot, which is 100% made in Italy—from design to final production. Within a radius of 30 km we have everything we need: skills, materials, and production facilities. This type of product, in fact, is niche on a global scale and didn’t require delocalization. It is an emblematic case of how, in some highly specialized sectors, Italy remains an irreplaceable reference point.
Between the cost increases during COVID and the current tariff scenario, has keeping most of your production in Europe proven strategic?
Absolutely yes, in that respect we have a strategic advantage. However, there are also challenges. For example, in the U.S. market—which accounts for about half our boot sales—we now face a 10% tariff that didn’t exist before. So while producing in Europe is a strength, it brings challenges too, especially in non‑European markets. The global context is constantly changing, and frankly, it’s hard to predict what will happen over the next two years. For this reason, as a group we are trying to balance our production: currently about 50% in Asia and 50% in Europe. This approach allows us to be more flexible and ready to adapt to market changes.
Have you ever thought of bringing all production back to Europe?
Bringing all production back to Europe isn’t simple, as the expertise needed for complex technical garments is missing. In some cases there are no alternatives, but for other products we are experimenting with hybrid production models (e.g., Asian soles with European assembly). We adopt a prudent and flexible approach due to geopolitical uncertainty, aiming to diversify risk so we’re not dependent on a single area or supplier. Additionally, we are verticalizing part of production and distribution—controlling the entire supply chain for some products (like boots or climbing shoes). This allows greater control over quality, cost, and timing, reinforcing customer trust, who are increasingly attentive to a product’s origins.
What does this 20th anniversary in Montebelluna mean to you?
Twenty years is certainly a milestone, but also the start of something new. It’s worth celebrating, of course, but what truly counts is having a clear vision for the next twenty years. For us, that always means research and development. R&D is based on two key elements. The first is professional competence: the tradition and experience accumulated on certain products. Today we know how to make a shoe and how to make a jacket—because we’ve been doing it for twenty years. The second, perhaps even more important, is understanding tomorrow’s challenges. This is where innovation comes in. Today we’re already producing ski boots with 3D printers—something that seemed unlikely just five years ago. But now it’s reality. Keeping pace with innovation also means understanding customers’ desires. A mountain boot used to primarily protect against rocks; today we’re moving toward the “technical sneaker”: a product that looks like a sneaker but delivers high technical performance. You sense the technology, but it doesn’t disturb you. This is where we focus heavily, because we believe these are the products of the future. A new clientele is already emerging. This is what I hope our Montebelluna site, as part of the Oberalp Group, can achieve.
